The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

passions that turn earth into a very hell ; the virtues that can , when properly directed , turn earth into Elysium . " " Aye , but these lie within the compass of a single breast , as yonder myriads of stars lie

within the sky . What is the power that chains the trees to earth , that brings the changing * seasons round the year , an , d kills ancl makes anew the silver moon . . There is a power oer all , a power of might that could , within the twinkling of an eye ,

annihilate this world , ancl the stars in heaven , could spread ruin over the fields in which the light haired Ceres reigns . Oh , would yon blue eternal veil fall down that I might see what lies hidden behind it . In vain , alas ! These doubts kill more than death . "

' •' Death will resolve these doubts , " replied Sextus , " meanwhile live on . " " Oh what a strange , weird , ghastly thing is death , " cried Adrian , in a burst of passionate feeling . " See you hoAv still life is ; a pool of

weary waves , that , battling with a wind , is tired to sleep , on ivhich the ooze grows green and fat . Yet throw the stone of death upon it , lo , the deep quivers from bank to bank , and heaves in pain , rent with emotions terrible , for are they not vague ?

Yet soon , alas , how very soon , the ivaters come to rest , and settle calmly on their banks , as if they never had felt their wake from slumber to a fell dismay . A broken spot on the green ooze may point the vacant place : all else is still and quiet -.

the bolt has flown , the soul has passed from earth , and life lies calmly sleeping , as if neA er disturbed . "

"Death comes to terrify , " ansAvered Sextus , " forgetfulness to chase away the fear ancl yield us peace . But there must come a" time AA'hen Ave shall see our life as in a scroll , but when or where , death can alone reveal . "

"Ah for that peace of death ! " cried Adrian , " if peace can come where knowledge is , a knoAvledge that knows nothingness in peace . But even the thought that I shall yet knoiv all , although that all may yield me endless AVOC , is soothing . A

calm falls on my spirit like the deiv upon the parched fields . I shall go home . Good night . Oh Sextus , would that these doubts were over . " " Trust to the blessed stars , my son , " replied Sextus , mournfully , " they may give you peace .

Good night . " Sextus gazed after the retreating form of the young Roman , with a countenance of the deepest

melancholy , and as he slowly descended the hill , he heaved many a sigh , murmuring to himself . " Poor boy , already has the iron barb transfixed his soul , that dread desire to knoAv what earth

cannot tell . After a lifetime , coming to the grave , then Avill he know hoiv little peace earth yields her children : study yields them none , but only fans the fever of the flame . All my life long have I dreamed on his dream , but never came a

satisfyingansAver to my anxious heart . Now in my dyinghours , I envy him , the stout strong-bodied son of Vertumnus , who knows not , cares not what fell knowledge is ; whose life is bound in the small round of day and night , the one in toil , the other

in repose . " When Adrian entered the city night had fallen . Drawing his toga around him , and feeling in his belt for a sharp dagger , kept its hilt in his hand , for in spite of all the endeavours of Trajan , the dissipated nobles by their rudeness and drunkenness rendered the streets far from safe . He was

approaching the Pantheon , when he heard females shrieking for help in the distance . He hurried for'vard , and came across a party of revellers , AVIIO were surrounding a couple of females . Adrian recognised among them Marenna the Bacchanal ,

Publius Appius ancl Servius , three rich but dissolute noblemen . " " Tear aside their veils , '' cried Marenna , " and let us see the nymphs faces . Never fled Daphne from Apollo ivith such speed , as did these fair

ones from us . Doubtless they wished not to escape us , or else , by their prayers , Ave might have embraced trees instead of flesh ancl blood . Pull

off their veils Servius . " "Hold ! " cried Adrian , pushing his Way through the band , and drawing the terrified ivomen behind him . "Adrian ! " cried the attackers .

"The same , and deeply grieved to see that Rome's chivalry can only attack ivomen . " " Pass on your way , Adrian , Ave clo not stand lectures from pedagogues here , " said Publius . " Pass on aud leave us to deal with the ivomen as

we please . " " I shall do no such thing , " replied Adrian , " if you can aid in bringing disgrace upon Rome , I at least shall attempt to parry such . Begone your ways . " " Not without the women , Mr . Schoolmaster , " said Marenna , " come hand , them ovei-, or we shall