Etruscanprophecywhichsaith，"Whenthemountainopens，thecityshallfall——whenthesmokecrownstheHilloftheParchedFields，thereshallbewoeandweepinginthehearthsoftheChildrenoftheSea。"Dreadmaster，ereIleavethesewallsforsomemoredistantdwelling，Icometothee。Asthoulivest，knowIinmyheartthattheearthquakethatsixteenyearsagoshookthiscitytoitssolidbase，wasbuttheforerunnerofmoredeadlydoom。ThewallsofPompeiiarebuiltabovethefieldsoftheDead，andtheriversofthesleeplessHell。Bewarnedandfly！’
　　’Witch，Ithanktheeforthycareofonenotungrateful。Onyontablestandsacupofgold；takeit，itisthine。Idreamtnotthattherelivedone，outofthepriesthoodofIsis，whowouldhavesavedArbacesfromdestruction。Thesignsthouhastseeninthebedoftheextinctvolcano，’
　　continuedtheEgyptian，musingly，’surelytellofsomecomingdangertothecity；perhapsanotherearthquake——fiercerthanthelast。Bethatasitmay，thereisanewreasonformyhasteningfromthesewalls。AfterthisdayI
　　willpreparemydeparture。DaughterofEtruria，whitherwendestthou？’
　　’IshallcrossovertoHerculaneumthisday，and，wanderingthencealongthecoast，shallseekoutanewhome。Iamfriendless：mytwocompanions，thefoxandthesnake，aredead。GreatHermes，thouhastpromisedmetwentyadditionalyearsoflife！’
　　’Aye，’saidtheEgyptian，’Ihavepromisedthee。But，woman，’headded，liftinghimselfuponhisarm，andgazingcuriouslyonherface，’tellme，I
　　praythee，whereforethouwishesttolive？Whatsweetsdostthoudiscoverinexistence？’
　　’Itisnotlifethatissweet，butdeaththatisawful，’repliedthehag，inasharp，impressivetone，thatstruckforciblyupontheheartofthevainstar—seer。Hewincedatthetruthofthereply；andnolongeranxioustoretainsouninvitingacompanion，hesaid，’Timewanes；Imustprepareforthesolemnspectacleofthisday。Sister，farewell！enjoythyselfasthoucanstovertheashesoflife。’
　　Thehag，whohadplacedthecostlygiftofArbacesintheloosefoldsofhervest，nowrosetodepart。Whenshehadgainedthedoorshepaused，turnedback，andsaid，’Thismaybethelasttimewemeetonearth；butwhitherflieththeflamewhenitleavestheashes？——Wanderingtoandfro，upanddown，asanexhalationonthemorass，theflamemaybeseeninthemarshesofthelakebelow；andthewitchandtheMagian，thepupilandthemaster，thegreatoneandtheaccursedone，maymeetagain。Farewell！’
　　’Out，croaker！’mutteredArbaces，asthedoorclosedonthehag’statteredrobes；and，impatientofhisownthoughts，notyetrecoveredfromthepastdream，hehastilysummonedhisslaves。
　　Itwasthecustomtoattendtheceremonialsoftheamphitheatreinfestiverobes，andArbacesarrayedhimselfthatdaywithmorethanusualcare。Histunicwasofthemostdazzlingwhite：hismanyfibulaewereformedfromthemostpreciousstones：overhistunicflowedalooseeasternrobe，half—gown，half—mantle，glowingintherichesthuesoftheTyriandye；andthesandals，thatreachedhalfwayuptheknee，werestuddedwithgems，andinlaidwithgold。Inthequackeriesthatbelongedtohispriestlygenius，Arbacesneverneglected，ongreatoccasions，theartswhichdazzleandimposeuponthevulgar；andonthisday，thatwasforevertoreleasehim，bythesacrificeofGlaucus，fromthefearofarivalandthechanceofdetection，hefeltthathewasarrayinghimselfasforatriumphoranuptialfeast。
　　Itwascustomaryformenofranktobeaccompaniedtotheshowsoftheamphitheatrebyaprocessionoftheirslavesandfreedmen；andthelong’family’ofArbaceswerealreadyarrangedinorder，toattendthelitteroftheirlord。
　　Only，totheirgreatchagrin，theslavesinattendanceonIone，andtheworthySosia，asgaolertoNydia，werecondemnedtoremainathome。
　　’Callias，’saidArbaces，aparttohisfreedman，whowasbucklingonhisgirdle，’IamwearyofPompeii；Iproposetoquititinthreedays，shouldthewindfavor。ThouknowestthevesselthatliesintheharborwhichbelongedtoNarses，ofAlexandria；Ihavepurchaseditofhim。Thedayaftertomorrowweshallbegintoremovemystores。’
　　’Sosoon！’Tiswell。Arbacesshallbeobeyed——andhisward，Ione？’
　　’Accompaniesme。Enough！——Isthemorningfair？’
　　’Dimandoppressive；itwillprobablybeintenselyhotintheforenoon。’
　　’Thepoorgladiators，andmorewretchedcriminals！Descend，andseethattheslavesaremarshalled。’
　　Leftalone，Arbacessteppedintohischamberofstudy，andthenceupontheporticowithout。Hesawthedensemassesofmenpouringfastintotheamphitheatre，andheardthecryoftheassistants，andthecrackingofthecordage，astheywerestrainingaloftthehugeawningunderwhichthecitizens，molestedbynodiscomfortingray，weretobehold，atluxuriousease，theagoniesoftheirfellowcreatures。Suddenlyawildstrangesoundwentforth，andassuddenlydiedaway——itwastheroarofthelion。Therewasasilenceinthedistantcrowd；butthesilencewasfollowedbyjoyouslaughter——theyweremakingmerryatthehungryimpatienceoftheroyalbeast。
　　’Brutes！’mutteredthedisdainfulArbacesareyelesshomicidesthanIam？
　　Islaybutinself—defence——yemakemurderpastime。’
　　Heturnedwitharestlessandcuriouseye，towardsVesuvius。Beautifullyglowedthegreenvineyardsrounditsbreast，andtranquilaseternitylayinthebreathlessskiestheformofthemightyhill。
　　’Wehavetimeyet，iftheearthquakebenursing，’thoughtArbaces；andheturnedfromthespot。HepassedbythetablewhichborehismysticscrollsandChaldeancalculations。
　　’Augustart！’hethought，’IhavenotconsultedthydecreessinceIpassedthedangerandthecrisistheyforetold。Whatmatter？——Iknowthathenceforthallinmypathisbrightandsmooth。Havenoteventsalreadyprovedit？Away，doubt——away，pity！ReflectOmyheart——reflect，forthefuture，buttwoimages——EmpireandIone！’
　　ChapterII
　　THEAMPHITHEATRE。
　　NYDIA，assuredbytheaccountofSosia，onhisreturnhome，andsatisfiedthatherletterwasinthehandsofSallust，gaveherselfuponcemoretohope。Sallustwouldsurelylosenotimeinseekingthepraetor——incomingtothehouseoftheEgyptian——inreleasingher——inbreakingtheprisonofCalenus。ThatverynightGlaucuswouldbefree。Alas！thenightpassed——thedawnbroke；sheheardnothingbutthehurriedfootstepsoftheslavesalongthehallandperistyle，andtheirvoicesinpreparationfortheshow。By—and—by，thecommandingvoiceofArbacesbrokeonherear——aflourishofmusicrungoutcheerily：thelongprocessionweresweepingtotheamphitheatretogluttheireyesonthedeath—pangsoftheAthenian！
　　TheprocessionofArbacesmovedalongslowly，andwithmuchsolemnitytillnow，arrivingattheplacewhereitwasnecessaryforsuchascameinlittersorchariotstoalight，Arbacesdescendedfromhisvehicle，andproceededtotheentrancebywhichthemoredistinguishedspectatorswereadmitted。Hisslaves，minglingwiththehumblercrowd，werestationedbyofficerswhoreceivedtheirtickets（notmuchunlikeourmodernOperaones），inplacesinthepopularia（theseatsapportionedtothevulgar）。Andnow，fromthespotwhereArbacessat，hiseyesscannedthemightyandimpatientcrowdthatfilledthestupendoustheatre。
　　Ontheuppertier（butapartfromthemalespectators）satwomen，theirgaydressesresemblingsomegaudyflower—bed；itisneedlesstoaddthattheywerethemosttalkativepartoftheassembly；andmanywerethelooksdirecteduptothem，especiallyfromthebenchesappropriatedtotheyoungandtheunmarriedmen。Onthelowerseatsroundthearenasatthemorehigh—bornandwealthyvisitors——themagistratesandthoseofsenatorialorequestriandignity；thepassageswhich，bycorridorsattherightandleft，gaveaccesstotheseseats，ateitherendoftheovalarena，werealsotheentrancesforthecombatants。Strongpalingsatthesepassagespreventedanyunwelcomeeccentricityinthemovementsofthebeasts，andconfinedthemtotheirappointedprey。Aroundtheparapetwhichwasraisedabovethearena，andfromwhichtheseatsgraduallyrose，weregladiatorialinscriptions，andpaintingswroughtinfresco，typicaloftheentertainmentsforwhichtheplacewasdesigned。Throughoutthewholebuildingwoundinvisiblepipes，fromwhich，asthedayadvanced，coolingandfragrantshowersweretobesprinkledoverthespectators。Theofficersoftheamphitheatrewerestillemployedinthetaskoffixingthevastawning（orvelaria）whichcoveredthewhole，andwhichluxuriousinventiontheCampaniansarrogatedtothemselves：itwaswovenofthewhitestApulianwool，andvariegatedwithbroadstripesofcrimson。Owingeithertosomeinexperienceonthepartoftheworkmen，ortosomedefectinthemachinery，theawning，however，wasnotarrangedthatdaysohappilyasusual；indeed，fromtheimmensespaceofthecircumference，thetaskwasalwaysoneofgreatdifficultyandart——somuchso，thatitcouldseldombeadventuredinroughorwindyweather。Butthepresentdaywassoremarkablystillthatthereseemedtothespectatorsnoexcusefortheawkwardnessoftheartificers；andwhenalargegapinthebackoftheawningwasstillvisible，fromtheobstinaterefusalofonepartofthevelariatoallyitselfwiththerest，themurmursofdiscontentwereloudandgeneral。
　　TheaedilePansa，atwhoseexpensetheexhibitionwasgiven，lookedparticularlyannoyedatthedefect，and，vowedbittervengeanceontheheadofthechiefofficeroftheshow，who，fretting，puffing，perspiring，busiedhimselfinidleordersandunavailingthreats。
　　Thehubbubceasedsuddenly——theoperatorsdesisted——thecrowdwerestilled——thegapwasforgotten——fornow，withaloudandwarlikeflourishoftrumpets，thegladiators，marshalledinceremoniousprocession，enteredthearena。Theysweptroundtheovalspaceveryslowlyanddeliberately，inordertogivethespectatorsfullleisuretoadmiretheirsternserenityoffeature——theirbrawnylimbsandvariousarms，aswellastoformsuchwagersastheexcitementofthemomentmightsuggest。
　　’Oh！’criedthewidowFulviatothewifeofPansa，astheyleaneddownfromtheirloftybench，’doyouseethatgiganticgladiator？howdrollyheisdressed！’
　　’Yes，’saidtheaedile’swife，withcomplacentimportance，forsheknewallthenamesandqualitiesofeachcombatant；’heisaretiariusornetter；heisarmedonly，yousee，withathree—prongedspearlikeatrident，andanet；hewearsnoarmor，onlythefilletandthetunic。Heisamightyman，andistofightwithSporus，yonthick—setgladiator，withtheroundshieldanddrawnsword，butwithoutbodyarmor；hehasnothishelmetonnow，inorderthatyoumayseehisface——howfearlessitis！——by—and—byhewillfightwithhisvizordown。’
　　’Butsurelyanetandaspeararepoorarmsagainstashieldandsword？’
　　’Thatshowshowinnocentyouare，mydearFulvia；theretiariushasgenerallythebestofit。’
　　’Butwhoisyonhandsomegladiator，nearlynaked——isitnotquiteimproper？
　　ByVenus！buthislimbsarebeautifullyshaped！’
　　’ItisLydon，ayounguntriedman！hehastherashnesstofightyonothergladiatorsimilarlydressed，orratherundressed——Tetraides。TheyfightfirstintheGreekfashion，withthecestus；afterwardstheyputonarmor，andtryswordandshield。’
　　’Heisaproperman，thisLydon；andthewomen，Iamsure，areonhisside。’
　　’Soarenottheexperiencedbetters；Clodiusoffersthreetooneagainsthim！’
　　’Oh，Jove！howbeautiful！’exclaimedthewidow，astwogladiators，armedcap—a—pie，roderoundthearenaonlightandprancingsteeds。Resemblingmuchthecombatantsinthetiltsofthemiddleage，theyborelancesandroundshieldsbeautifullyinlaid：theirarmorwaswovenintricatelywithbandsofiron，butitcoveredonlythethighsandtherightarms；shortcloaks，extendingtotheseat，gaveapicturesqueandgracefulairtotheircostume；theirlegswerenaked，withtheexceptionofsandals，whichwerefastenedalittleabovetheankle。’Oh，beautiful！Whoarethese？’askedthewidow。
　　’TheoneisnamedBerbix——hehasconqueredtwelvetimes；theotherassumesthearrogantnameofNobilior。TheyarebothGauls。’
　　Whilethusconversing，thefirstformalitiesoftheshowwereover。Tothesesucceededafeignedcombatwithwoodenswordsbetweenthevariousgladiatorsmatchedagainsteachother。Amongstthese，theskilloftwoRomangladiators，hiredfortheoccasion，wasthemostadmired；andnexttothemthemostgracefulcombatantwasLydon。Thisshamcontestdidnotlastaboveanhour，nordiditattractanyverylivelyinterest，exceptamongthoseconnoisseursofthearenatowhomartwaspreferabletomorecoarseexcitement；thebodyofthespectatorswererejoicedwhenitwasover，andwhenthesympathyrosetoterror。Thecombatantswerenowarrangedinpairs，asagreedbeforehand；theirweaponsexamined；andthegravesportsofthedaycommencedamidstthedeepestsilence——brokenonlybyanexcitingandpreliminaryblastofwarlikemusic。
　　Itwasoftencustomarytobeginthesportsbythemostcruelofall，andsomebestiarius，orgladiatorappointedtothebeasts，wasslainfirst，asaninitiatorysacrifice。Butinthepresentinstance，theexperiencedPansathoughtitbetterthatthesanguinarydramashouldadvance，notdecrease，ininterestand，accordingly，theexecutionofOlinthusandGlaucuswasreservedforthelast。Itwasarrangedthatthetwohorsemenshouldfirstoccupythearena；thatthefootgladiators，pairedOff，shouldthenbeloosedindiscriminatelyonthestage；thatGlaucusandthelionshouldnextperformtheirpartinthebloodyspectacle；andthetigerandtheNazarenebethegrandfinale。And，inthespectaclesofPompeii，thereaderofRomanhistorymustlimithisimagination，norexpecttofindthosevastandwholesaleexhibitionsofmagnificentslaughterwithwhichaNerooraCaligularegaledtheinhabitantsoftheImperialCity。TheRomanshows，whichabsorbedthemorecelebratedgladiators，andthechiefproportionofforeignbeasts，wereindeedtheveryreasonwhy，inthelessertownsoftheempire，thesportsoftheamphitheatrewerecomparativelyhumaneandrare；
　　andinthis，asinotherrespects，Pompeiiwasbuttheminiature，themicrocosmofRome。Still，itwasanawfulandimposingspectacle，withwhichmoderntimeshave，happily，nothingtocompare——avasttheatre，risingrowuponrow，andswarmingwithhumanbeings，fromfifteentoeighteenthousandinnumber，intentuponnofictitiousrepresentation——notragedyofthestage——buttheactualvictoryordefeat，theexultantlifeorthebloodydeath，ofeachandallwhoenteredthearena！
　　Thetwohorsemenwerenowateitherextremityofthelists（ifsotheymightbecalled）；and，atagivensignalfromPansa，thecombatantsstartedsimultaneouslyasinfullcollision，eachadvancinghisroundbuckler，eachpoisingonhighhislightyetsturdyjavelin；butjustwhenwithinthreepacesofhisopponent，thesteedofBerbixsuddenlyhalted，wheeledround，and，asNobiliorwasbornerapidlyby，hisantagonistspurreduponhim。ThebucklerofNobilior，quicklyandskillfullyextended，receivedablowwhichotherwisewouldhavebeenfatal。
　　’Welldone，Nobilior！’criedthepraetor，givingthefirstventtothepopularexcitement。
　　’Bravelystruck，myBerbix！’answeredClodiusfromhisseat。
　　Andthewildmurmur，swelledbymanyashout，echoedfromsidetoside。
　　Thevizorsofboththehorsemenwerecompletelyclosed（likethoseoftheknightsinaftertimes），buttheheadwas，nevertheless，thegreatpointofassault；andNobilior，nowwheelinghischargerwithnolessadroitnessthanhisopponent，directedhisspearfullonthehelmetofhisfoe。Berbixraisedhisbucklertoshieldhimself，andhisquick—eyedantagonist，suddenlyloweringhisweapon，piercedhimthroughthebreast。Berbixreeledandfell。
　　’Nobilior！Nobilior！’shoutedthepopulace。
　　’Ihavelosttensestertia，’saidClodius，betweenhisteeth。
　　’Habet！——hehasit，’saidPansa，deliberately。
　　Thepopulace，notyethardenedintocruelty，madethesignalofmercy；butastheattendantsofthearenaapproached，theyfoundthekindnesscametoolate——theheartoftheGaulhadbeenpierced，andhiseyesweresetindeath。Itwashislife’sbloodthatflowedsodarklyoverthesandandsawdustofthearena。
　　’Itisapityitwassosoonover——therewaslittleenoughforone’strouble，’saidthewidowFulvia。
　　’Yes——IhavenocompassionforBerbix。AnyonemighthaveseenthatNobiliordidbutfeint。Mark，theyfixthefatalhooktothebody——theydraghimawaytothespoliarium——theyscatternewsandoverthestage！
　　Pansaregretsnothingmorethanthatheisnotrichenoughtostrewthearenawithboraxandcinnabar，asNerousedtodo。’
　　’Well，ifithasbeenabriefbattle，itisquicklysucceeded。SeemyhandsomeLydononthearena——ay——andthenet—bearertoo，andtheswordsmen！
　　oh，charming！’
　　Therewerenowonthearenasixcombatants：Nigerandhisnet，matchedagainstSporuswithhisshieldandhisshortbroadsword；LydonandTetraides，nakedsavebyacinctureroundthewaist，eacharmedonlywithaheavyGreekcestus——andtwogladiatorsfromRome，cladincompletesteel，andevenlymatchedwithimmensebucklersandpointedswords。
　　TheinitiatorycontestbetweenLydonandTetraidesbeinglessdeadlythanthatbetweentheothercombatants，nosoonerhadtheyadvancedtothemiddleofthearenathan，asbycommonconsent，therestheldback，toseehowthatcontestshouldbedecided，andwaittillfiercerweaponsmightreplacethecestus，eretheythemselvescommencedhostilities。Theystoodleaningontheirarmsandapartfromeachother，gazingontheshow，which，ifnotbloodyenough，thoroughlytopleasethepopulace，theywerestillinclinedtoadmire，becauseitsoriginwasoftheirancestralGreece。
　　Nopersoncould，atfirstglance，haveseemedlessevenlymatchedthanthetwoantagonists。Tetraides，thoughnottallerthanLydon，weighedconsiderablymore；thenaturalsizeofhismuscleswasincreased，totheeyesofthevulgar，bymassesofsolidflesh；for，asitwasanotionthatthecontestofthecestusfaredeasiestwithhimwhowasplumpest，Tetraideshadencouragedtotheutmosthishereditarypredispositiontotheportly。
　　Hisshoulderswerevast，andhislowerlimbsthick—set，double—jointed，andslightlycurvedoutward，inthatformationwhichtakessomuchfrombeautytogivesolargelytostrength。ButLydon，exceptthathewasslenderevenalmosttomeagreness，wasbeautifullyanddelicatelyproportioned；andtheskilfulmighthaveperceivedthat，withmuchlesscompassofmusclethanhisfoe，thatwhichhehadwasmoreseasoned——ironandcompact。Inproportion，too，ashewantedflesh，hewaslikelytopossessactivity；andahaughtysmileonhisresolutefacewhichstronglycontrastedthesolidheavinessofhisenemy’s，gaveassurancetothosewhobeheldit，andunitedtheirhopetotheirpity：sothat，despitethedisparityoftheirseemingstrength，thecryofthemultitudewasnearlyasloudforLydonasforTetraides。
　　Whoeverisacquaintedwiththemodernprize—ring——whoeverhaswitnessedtheheavyanddisablingstrokeswhichthehumanfist，skillfullydirected，haththepowertobestow——mayeasilyunderstandhowmuchthathappyfacilitywouldbeincreasedbyabandcarriedbythongsofleatherroundthearmashighastheelbow，andterriblystrengthenedabouttheknucklesbyaplateofiron，andsometimesaplummetoflead。Yetthis，whichwasmeanttoincrease，perhapsratherdiminished，theinterestofthefray：foritnecessarilyshorteneditsduration。Averyfewblows，successfullyandscientificallyplanted，mightsufficetobringthecontesttoaclose；andthebattledidnot，therefore，oftenallowfullscopefortheenergy，fortitudeanddoggedperseverance，thatwetechnicallystylepluck，whichnotunusuallywinsthedayagainstsuperiorscience，andwhichheightenstosopainfuladelighttheinterestinthebattleandthesympathyforthebrave。
　　’Guardthyself！’growledTetraides，movingnearerandnearertohisfoe，whorathershiftedroundhimthanreceded。
　　Lydondidnotanswer，savebyascornfulglanceofhisquick，vigilanteye。
　　Tetraidesstruck——itwasastheblowofasmithonavice；Lydonsanksuddenlyononeknee——theblowpassedoverhishead。NotsoharmlesswasLydon’sretaliation：hequicklysprungtohisfeet，andaimedhiscestusfullonthebroadbreastofhisantagonist。Tetraidesreeled——thepopulaceshouted。
　　’Youareunluckyto—day，’saidLepidustoClodius：’youhavelostonebet————youwillloseanother。’
　　’Bythegods！mybronzesgototheauctioneerifthatisthecase。IhavenolessthanahundredsestertiauponTetraides。Ha，ha！seehowherallies！
　　Thatwasahomestroke：hehascutopenLydon’sshoulder。ATetraides！——aTetraides！’
　　’ButLydonisnotdisheartened。ByPollux！howwellhekeepshistemper。
　　Seehowdexterouslyheavoidsthosehammer—likehands！——dodgingnowhere，nowthere——circlingroundandround。Ah，poorLydon！hehasitagain。’
　　’ThreetoonestillonTetraides！Whatsayyou，Lepidus？’
　　’Well，ninesestertiatothree——beitso！What！again，Lydon？Hestops——hegaspsforbreath。Bythegods，heisdown。No——heisagainonhislegs。
　　BraveLydon！Tetraidesisencouraged——helaughsloud——herushesonhim。’
　　’Fool——successblindshim——heshouldbecautious。Lydon’seyeislikethelynx’s，’saidClodius，betweenhisteeth。
　　’Ha，Clodius！sawyouthat？Yourmantotters！Anotherblow——hefalls——hefalls！’
　　’Earthreviveshim，then。Heisoncemoreup；butthebloodrollsdownhisface。’
　　’Bythethunderer！Lydonwinsit。Seehowhepressesonhim！Thatblowonthetemplewouldhavecrushedanox！ithascrushedTetraides。Hefallsagain——hecannotmove——habet！——habet！’
　　’Habet！’repeatedPansa。’Takethemoutandgivethemthearmorandswords。’
　　’Nobleeditor，’saidtheofficers，’wefearthatTetraideswillnotrecoverintime；howbeit，wewilltry。’
　　’Doso。’
　　Inafewminutestheofficers，whohaddraggedoffthestunnedandinsensiblegladiator，returnedwithruefulcountenances。Theyfearedforhislife；hewasutterlyincapacitatedfromre—enteringthearena。
　　’Inthatcase，’saidPansa，’holdLydonasubdititius；andthefirstgladiatorthatisvanquished，letLydonsupplyhisplacewiththevictor。’
　　Thepeopleshoutedtheirapplauseatthissentence：thentheyagainsunkintodeepsilence。Thetrumpetsoundedloudly。Thefourcombatantsstoodeachagainsteachinpreparedandsternarray。
　　’DostthourecognizetheRomans，myClodius；aretheyamongthecelebrated，oraretheymerelyordinary？’
　　’Eumolpusisagoodsecond—rateswordsman，myLepidus。Nepimus，thelesserman，Ihaveneverseenbefore：butheisthesonofoneoftheimperialfiscales，andbroughtupinaproperschool；doubtlesstheywillshowsport，butIhavenoheartforthegame；Icannotwinbackmymoney——Iamundone。
　　CursesonthatLydon！whocouldhavesupposedhewassodexterousorsolucky？’
　　’Well，Clodius，shallItakecompassiononyou，andacceptyourowntermswiththeseRomans？’
　　’AneventensestertiaonEumolpus，then？’
　　’What！whenNepimusisuntried？Nay，nay；thatistobad。’
　　’Well——tentoeight？’
　　’Agreed。’
　　Whilethecontestintheamphitheatrehadthuscommenced，therewasoneintheloftierbenchesforwhomithadassumed，indeed，apoignant——astiflinginterest。TheagedfatherofLydon，despitehisChristianhorrorofthespectacle，inhisagonizedanxietyforhisson，hadnotbeenabletoresistbeingthespectatorofhisfate。Oneamidstafiercecrowdofstrangers——thelowestrabbleofthepopulace——theoldmansaw，feltnothing，buttheform——thepresenceofhisbraveson！Notasoundhadescapedhislipswhentwicehehadseenhimfalltotheearth——onlyhehadturnedpaler，andhislimbstrembled。Buthehadutteredonelowcrywhenhesawhimvictorious；
　　unconscious，alas！ofthemorefearfulbattletowhichthatvictorywasbutaprelude。
　　’Mygallantboy！’saidhe，andwipedhiseyes。
　　’IshethysonsaidabrawnyfellowtotherightoftheNazarene；’hehasfoughtwell：letusseehowhedoesby—and—by。Hark！heistofightthefirstvictor。Now，oldboy，praythegodsthatthatvictorbeneitheroftheRomans！nor，nexttothem，thegiantNiger。’
　　Theoldmansatdownagainandcoveredhisface。Thefrayforthemomentwasindifferenttohim——Lydonwasnotoneofthecombatants。Yet——yet——thethoughtflashedacrosshim——thefraywasindeedofdeadlyinterest——thefirstwhofellwastomakewayforLydon！Hestarted，andbentdown，withstrainingeyesandclaspedhands，toviewtheencounter。
　　ThefirstinterestwasattractedtowardsthecombatofNigerwithSporus；
　　forthisspeciesofcontest，fromthefatalresultwhichusuallyattendedit，andfromthegreatscienceitrequiredineitherantagonist，wasalwayspeculiarlyinvitingtothespectators。
　　Theystoodataconsiderabledistancefromeachother。ThesingularhelmetwhichSporuswore（thevizorofwhichwasdown）concealedhisface；butthefeaturesofNigerattractedafearfulanduniversalinterestfromtheircompressedandvigilantferocity。Thustheystoodforsomemoments，eacheyeingeach，untilSporusbeganslowly，andwithgreatcaution，toadvance，holdinghisswordpointed，likeamodernfencer’s，atthebreastofhisfoe。
　　Nigerretreatedashisantagonistadvanced，gatheringuphisnetwithhisrighthand，andnevertakinghissmallglitteringeyefromthemovementsoftheswordsman。SuddenlywhenSporushadapproachednearlyatarm’slength，theretiariusthrewhimselfforward，andcasthisnet。Aquickinflectionofbodysavedthegladiatorfromthedeadlysnare！heutteredasharpcryofjoyandrage，andrusheduponNiger：butNigerhadalreadydrawninhisnet，thrownitacrosshisshoulders，andnowfledroundthelistswithaswiftnesswhichthesecutorinvainendeavoredtoequal。Thepeoplelaughedandshoutedaloud，toseetheineffectualeffortsofthebroad—shoulderedgladiatortoovertaketheflyinggiant：when，atthatmoment，theirattentionwasturnedfromthesetothetwoRomancombatants。