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Article CLAUDIUS, THE BUILDER. Page 1 of 4 →
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Claudius, The Builder.
CLAUDIUS , THE BUILDER .
IT was near the hour of mid-day , and the loiterers of the Forum were leisurely returning to their respective homes . Here might be seen a magistrate , preceded by the lictors clearing the way before him , and bearing the fasces , the dreaded ensigns of authority . Here a senator , his purple-hemmed toga hanging carelessly over his arm , or the corner serving as a veil to screen his bald head from the scorching sun . Groups of priests were chatting on the steps of the temple of Jupiter
Stator , discoursing the politics , scandal , and religion of Rome , while several pert young centurions and an officer of the imperial guard were impertinently eyeing a train of virgins passing in procession to the shrine of Vesta . The Forum was nearly cleared of its throng of idlers , when an old man , whose venerable aspect and majestic deportment commanded respect , was seen proceeding along the Via sacra , attended by a single guard ; he bore in his hand a roll of papyrusto which he
con-, tinually referred , and whose contents evidently abstracted him from all around . " Who is yon greybeard ? " demanded a prsctor of a young officer of the emperor ' s household , who was standing near him , and whose rich arms and waving plume contrasted brightl y with the civil habit of his interrogator .
" One whom I would not for the world offend , " answered the youth in a low voice , at the same time bowing reverently to the object of their curiosity as he passed them . '' It is Claudius , the Builder—the architect of Nero ' s Golden House , of that palace which already rivals the temples of the Gods in magnificence , and which bids fair to become the wonder of the world . " " It has indeed cost much , " replied the prrctor , " the city is impoverishedand the provinces laid waste to furnish its enormous wealth
, . But , " he added , aware of the indiscretion of his speech , " the emperor wills it , and who shall dare gainsay his pleasure ?" " Not I for one , " said the soldier laughing , '' I would sooner encounter the lion in his native desert than brave the wrath of Nero . It is singular , " he continued , " the influence which that old man possesses over him ; at all hours he has access to his presence , and twice at his request hath he pardoned the lives of those condemned to the arena . He must
have rare skill to have gained so powerful an interest . " Meanwhile the object of their curiosity proceeded at the same equal pace till he reached the steps leading to the capitol , where he was joined by a young man , who had evidently heen awaiting his arrival . " What news , Claudius ? " demanded the stranger , after the first salutation .
" Worse and worse , " replied the builder , " my difficulties hourly increase , as the palace approaches its completion . Nero becomes move and more importunate . 1-1 is love of architecture , and his desire to perfect the stupendous work he hath begun , have hitherto secured my safety ; but as my services cease to be necessary , he mingles threats with promises . He hath commanded me to lay before him this very day the rest of the plans necessary for the palace . I fear my rime is come . " " I will not so mistrust the Gods ! " exclaimed the young man passionately . " Might not flight" "It cannot be , " responded the old man . "Flight—whither ? the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Claudius, The Builder.
CLAUDIUS , THE BUILDER .
IT was near the hour of mid-day , and the loiterers of the Forum were leisurely returning to their respective homes . Here might be seen a magistrate , preceded by the lictors clearing the way before him , and bearing the fasces , the dreaded ensigns of authority . Here a senator , his purple-hemmed toga hanging carelessly over his arm , or the corner serving as a veil to screen his bald head from the scorching sun . Groups of priests were chatting on the steps of the temple of Jupiter
Stator , discoursing the politics , scandal , and religion of Rome , while several pert young centurions and an officer of the imperial guard were impertinently eyeing a train of virgins passing in procession to the shrine of Vesta . The Forum was nearly cleared of its throng of idlers , when an old man , whose venerable aspect and majestic deportment commanded respect , was seen proceeding along the Via sacra , attended by a single guard ; he bore in his hand a roll of papyrusto which he
con-, tinually referred , and whose contents evidently abstracted him from all around . " Who is yon greybeard ? " demanded a prsctor of a young officer of the emperor ' s household , who was standing near him , and whose rich arms and waving plume contrasted brightl y with the civil habit of his interrogator .
" One whom I would not for the world offend , " answered the youth in a low voice , at the same time bowing reverently to the object of their curiosity as he passed them . '' It is Claudius , the Builder—the architect of Nero ' s Golden House , of that palace which already rivals the temples of the Gods in magnificence , and which bids fair to become the wonder of the world . " " It has indeed cost much , " replied the prrctor , " the city is impoverishedand the provinces laid waste to furnish its enormous wealth
, . But , " he added , aware of the indiscretion of his speech , " the emperor wills it , and who shall dare gainsay his pleasure ?" " Not I for one , " said the soldier laughing , '' I would sooner encounter the lion in his native desert than brave the wrath of Nero . It is singular , " he continued , " the influence which that old man possesses over him ; at all hours he has access to his presence , and twice at his request hath he pardoned the lives of those condemned to the arena . He must
have rare skill to have gained so powerful an interest . " Meanwhile the object of their curiosity proceeded at the same equal pace till he reached the steps leading to the capitol , where he was joined by a young man , who had evidently heen awaiting his arrival . " What news , Claudius ? " demanded the stranger , after the first salutation .
" Worse and worse , " replied the builder , " my difficulties hourly increase , as the palace approaches its completion . Nero becomes move and more importunate . 1-1 is love of architecture , and his desire to perfect the stupendous work he hath begun , have hitherto secured my safety ; but as my services cease to be necessary , he mingles threats with promises . He hath commanded me to lay before him this very day the rest of the plans necessary for the palace . I fear my rime is come . " " I will not so mistrust the Gods ! " exclaimed the young man passionately . " Might not flight" "It cannot be , " responded the old man . "Flight—whither ? the