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Article CLAUDIUS, THE BUILDER. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Claudius, The Builder.
'Tis said , moreover , that the secrets of the genii are theirs;—as architects they are unrivalled , and who in Rome , unless it be the godlike Nero , can in that noble art contend with Claudius , the builder ? " " True , " said Nero , pleased with the flattery ; " the man is skilled , and that temple of which I have heard so much , and once thought of pulling down , to reconstruct in Rome , is now surpassed . The golden palace knows no rival . "
"But Nero may—pardon , " continued the Egyptian , easting himself upon his knees before the youthful tyrant , who , enraged , had half started from his couch ; ' but who claims the honour of its building—Claudius ? The intellect—the skill—the magnificence , which first conceived the undertaking , are denied by this upstart of fortune , who arrogates to himself the honour due only to the emperor . " " Slave ! " muttered the despot " and should he live to see his work
, complete , the world will forget my claim to immortality , in favour of his paltry labour . Rise , " he continued , " thou art restored to favour ; the insolent shall die . But first let us obtain from him , if possible , the secrets of his art . " The Egyptian smiled , for from his inmost soul he hated the virtuous Claudius , whose veto had prevented his reception into the Order , which his vices and infamy would have disgraced . " Say , Uran , " said the emperor"how shall we dispose of him ;—the lampreys?—or
, shall we reserve the wretch for the arena , and there hunt him with our Persian hounds ? " " He is too old , " replied the parasite , " to afford much sport : might thy slave advise , the Ethiopian executioners have not yet essayed their skill before your imperial presence . " "Good , " answered Nero , with a ferocious smile ; " to the Ethiopians we will deliver him : ¦—let tnem attend . "
An officer now announced the presence of the architect , who , on a signal from the imperial tyrant , was admitted into the chamber . Nero received him with his usual smile . " Welcome , Claudius , " he exclaimed , as his intended victim bowed before him , " hast thou all the plans that I commanded ?" " They are here , " answered the old man , reverently , placing a roll of papyrus before him . The emperor and his minister carefully examined it , and found in it all that was necessary to complete the goreeous
structure . '" Tis well , old man , thou hast obeyed me ; in this , at least , thou hast no crime to answer for ; but tell me , it is whispered here in Rome thou art of an order which possess strange secrets—powers that may be dangerous to the state . Denial is in vain , for I have proofs thou art of the Itace of Light . If thy arts are honest , why conceal them ? Show me thy wisdom . I have spoken with thee of this before—listened with patience to thy rebellious excuses ; but beware—tempt me no longer—thou
hadst better be prostrate beneath the savage tiger ' s fangs than answer my baited wrath . " The eyes of tlle tyrant flashed fury as he spoke ; for , unused to opposition , the refusal he had constantly met with from the virtuous Claudius , had excited him to an unusual pitch of indignation . The old man perceived that the crisis he had so long anticipated was at hand , and with courageous firmness prepared to meet it . " Emperor , '' he began , " my life , if such be thy will , is thine : but in what have I offended ? have I not served thee faithfully ? My skill hath been devoted to thy service cheerfully and willingly ; I have spared no labourno resources of my art , to gratify thy will . But what is it ycu now
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Claudius, The Builder.
'Tis said , moreover , that the secrets of the genii are theirs;—as architects they are unrivalled , and who in Rome , unless it be the godlike Nero , can in that noble art contend with Claudius , the builder ? " " True , " said Nero , pleased with the flattery ; " the man is skilled , and that temple of which I have heard so much , and once thought of pulling down , to reconstruct in Rome , is now surpassed . The golden palace knows no rival . "
"But Nero may—pardon , " continued the Egyptian , easting himself upon his knees before the youthful tyrant , who , enraged , had half started from his couch ; ' but who claims the honour of its building—Claudius ? The intellect—the skill—the magnificence , which first conceived the undertaking , are denied by this upstart of fortune , who arrogates to himself the honour due only to the emperor . " " Slave ! " muttered the despot " and should he live to see his work
, complete , the world will forget my claim to immortality , in favour of his paltry labour . Rise , " he continued , " thou art restored to favour ; the insolent shall die . But first let us obtain from him , if possible , the secrets of his art . " The Egyptian smiled , for from his inmost soul he hated the virtuous Claudius , whose veto had prevented his reception into the Order , which his vices and infamy would have disgraced . " Say , Uran , " said the emperor"how shall we dispose of him ;—the lampreys?—or
, shall we reserve the wretch for the arena , and there hunt him with our Persian hounds ? " " He is too old , " replied the parasite , " to afford much sport : might thy slave advise , the Ethiopian executioners have not yet essayed their skill before your imperial presence . " "Good , " answered Nero , with a ferocious smile ; " to the Ethiopians we will deliver him : ¦—let tnem attend . "
An officer now announced the presence of the architect , who , on a signal from the imperial tyrant , was admitted into the chamber . Nero received him with his usual smile . " Welcome , Claudius , " he exclaimed , as his intended victim bowed before him , " hast thou all the plans that I commanded ?" " They are here , " answered the old man , reverently , placing a roll of papyrus before him . The emperor and his minister carefully examined it , and found in it all that was necessary to complete the goreeous
structure . '" Tis well , old man , thou hast obeyed me ; in this , at least , thou hast no crime to answer for ; but tell me , it is whispered here in Rome thou art of an order which possess strange secrets—powers that may be dangerous to the state . Denial is in vain , for I have proofs thou art of the Itace of Light . If thy arts are honest , why conceal them ? Show me thy wisdom . I have spoken with thee of this before—listened with patience to thy rebellious excuses ; but beware—tempt me no longer—thou
hadst better be prostrate beneath the savage tiger ' s fangs than answer my baited wrath . " The eyes of tlle tyrant flashed fury as he spoke ; for , unused to opposition , the refusal he had constantly met with from the virtuous Claudius , had excited him to an unusual pitch of indignation . The old man perceived that the crisis he had so long anticipated was at hand , and with courageous firmness prepared to meet it . " Emperor , '' he began , " my life , if such be thy will , is thine : but in what have I offended ? have I not served thee faithfully ? My skill hath been devoted to thy service cheerfully and willingly ; I have spared no labourno resources of my art , to gratify thy will . But what is it ycu now