BOOK II.
AMALASWINTHA.
"Amalaswintha did not despair like a woman, but vigorously defended her royalty."--Procopius: Wars of the Goths, i. 2.
CHAPTER I.
Athalaric's sudden death fell like lightning from a clear sky upon the Gothic party, whose hopes, just at this very time, had been raised to such a high pitch. All the measures which the King had taken at their suggestion were paralysed, and the national party was left without a representative in the State; at the head of which the Queen-regent was now placed alone.
Early in the morning of the next day Cassiodorus went to the Prefect of Rome. He found him in a sound and tranquil sleep.
"And you can sleep as quietly as a child after such a blow?"
"I sleep," answered Cethegus, raising himself on his elbow, "in the feeling of renewed security."
"Security! yes, for you; but the kingdom!"