And I, alas, I am a slave forevermore.[1080] No more can look for freedom—for love. Tears, tears! Why, why should eyes that cannot see have power to weep?
Hark![1081] the lion roars as if in fear. It is the amphitheatre and the games are on! I hear a cry, I hear a voice[1082]—“The lion touches not the victim!” Aye, even the wild beasts love Glaucus. “Arbaces, the Egyptian, is the murderer! Glaucus is innocent! Set him free! Set him free!” He is saved, he is saved![1083] What heaviness[1084] fills the air? The ground trembles as though rocked by an earthquake, or is it the throbbing of my heart?[1085] What does it mean? Sosia, Sosia! Unlock the door and let me out. [1086]What sounds do I hear? What thunder shakes the ground; what cries—what strange sounds; the air is hot and stifling—I cannot breathe! Oh! Sallust, is that thy voice? Speak! and tell me what has happened. Vesuvius all ablaze, and the sun gone down at noon? Ah! the gods[1087] are angry! Canst thou tell me of Glaucus? Hast thou seen him? crouched beneath the arch of the Forum? Ah, then, I can find him, for I am free! Some friendly hand slipped the bolts of my prison.
[1088]Glaucus! Glaucus! How can I hope to reach his ears amidst all this tumult and confusion? Hark![1089] a new sound comes from afar. It is the chant of the Christians on their way to their temple to worship.
(Chanted.)
Woe! woe! Behold the Lord descendeth to judgment!
He maketh fire come down from the heavens in the sight of men!
Woe! woe! ye strong and mighty!
Woe to ye of the fasces and the purple!
Woe to the idolater and the worshiper of the beast!
Woe to ye who pour forth the blood of saints and gloat over the death pangs of the sons of God! Woe! woe!