Olybius swears, thus mounting on the throne

Of justice, to exhaust heaven’s wrath on all

That have cast off their fathers’ gods for rites

New and unholy. From my heart, I blot

Partial affection and the love of kindred;

Even if my father’s blood flowed in their veins,

I would obey the emperor and the gods!”

Millman.

* * * The prisoners are ushered in, heard, and ordered to death; among whom a female veiled, as if Phœbus-chosen!

“What! dare they rend our dedicated maids,