But even this last appeal had no effect. Pale but resolute, Pollio motioned away the proffered goblet.
"I will never be false to my Saviour."
At these words there was a moment's pause. Then the chief magistrate spoke:
"You have uttered your own doom. Away with him," he continued, addressing the soldiery.
THE DEATH OF POLLIO.
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
The sentence of Pollio was swift and sure. On the following day there was a spectacle at the Coliseum. Crowded to its topmost terrace of seats with the bloodthirsty Roman multitude, it displayed the same sickening succession of horrors which has been before detailed.
Gladiators again fought and slew one another singly and in multitudes. There was every different mode of combat known in the arena, and of these the most deadly were sure to find the most favor.
Again were the ever-recurring scenes of blood and agony presented; the fierce champion of the day received the short-lived congratulations of the fickle spectators. Again man fought with man, or waged a fiercer contest with the tiger. Again the wounded gladiator looked up despairingly for mercy, but received only the signal of death from the pitiless spectators.