The wretch, whining and trembling, was introduced; and cast himself at the emperor’s feet, from which he was spurned, and sent rolling, like a lashed hound, into the midst of the hall. This set the imperial divinity a-laughing, and helped to mollify its wrath.
“Come, sirrah! stand up,” he said, “and let me hear an account of yourself. How did the edict disappear?”
Corvinus told a rambling tale, which occasionally amused the emperor; for he was rather taken with the trick. This was a good symptom.
“Well,” he said at last, “I will be merciful to you. Lictors, bind your fasces.” They drew their axes forth, and felt their edges. Corvinus again threw himself down, and exclaimed:
“Spare my life; I have important information to furnish, if I live.”
“Who wants your worthless life?” responded the gentle Maximian. “Lictors, put aside your axes; the rods are good enough for him.”
In a moment his hands were seized and bound, his tunic was stripped off his shoulders, and a shower of blows fell upon them, delivered with well-regulated skill, till he roared and writhed, to the great enjoyment of his imperial master.
Smarting and humbled, he had to stand again before him.
“Now, sir,” said the latter, “what is the wonderful information you have to give?”
“That I know who perpetrated the outrage of last night, on your imperial edict.”