But this incredulous mood was exhibited by very few. None ventured openly to scoff.
“The god hath spoken!” this was the cry through the streets and the forum. Every man asked his fellow what it signified. Some cried out that the prince—the divine Aurelius Antoninus (Caracalla)—had been assassinated, just as he was about to start from Rome for Gaul. Others that the privileges of the city and colony were going to be abrogated. But one said to his fellow, “I augured ill when we heard that the god had been cheated of his due. No [pg 107]marvel he is out of humor, for Perpetua is esteemed the prettiest virgin in Nemausus.”
“I wonder that the rescue passed off without notice being taken of the affair by the magistrates.”
“Bah! it is the turn of the Petronius Alacinus now, and he will not bestir himself unnecessarily. So long as the public peace be not broken——”
“But it was—there was a riot, a conflict.”
“A farcical fight with wind-bags. Not a man was hurt, not a drop of blood flowed. The god will not endure to be balked and his sacrifice made into a jest.”
“He is hoarse with rage.”
“What does it all mean?”
Then said a stout man: “My good friend, it means that which always happens when the priesthood is alarmed and considers that its power is menaced—its credit is shaken. It will ask for blood.”
“There has been a great falling off of late in the worshipers of the gods and in attendance at the games.”