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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Jan. 12, 1867
  • Page 7
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Jan. 12, 1867: Page 7

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    Article THE NEMESIS: A TALE OF THE DAYS OF TRAJAN. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Page 7

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

terms of intimacy with him , for he had always sound advice to give in moments of trouble . "There is little use in controversy IIOAV , " he said in answer to their arguments , " one spy has been discovered , but who can tell how many more

• there may be . Cenna is a babbling fool , and not likely to keep a secret of such importance to himself . Our existence has been revealed to the Emperor , and doubtless the Suburra will be carefully watched in future . Ifc was a grave mistake to have gone there at all . "

"Why where else could Ave have gone to ?" " To some of our OAvn houses , taking the entertainments in turn : No chance then of a discovery . It must furthermore be remembered , that on the disappearance of Cenna , every engine will be put

in force to discover his fate , suspicion will at once point to us . " "Carefully executed we have little fears of ifc ever being known . Does any one knoAV what has come over Cossus ? he , too , has disappeared , some say foully , and Cassius is moving heaven and earth to discover him . "

" I hear , " said a young noble , " he had given important information against some conspirators , but the names have not transpired . It is suspected that they learned his discovery and so removed him . "

"Very possibly , " said Balbus , " and it only shows IIOAV careful we must be to avoid any chance of discovery . When Cenna is not to be found , ¦ the Suburra will be searched . " " Then our house will be discovered ?"

" Doubtless , what then ?" "They will find sufficient to condemn us all . " " Yes , if I had been of a like mind with yon , but everything is ready for their reception . Let

-fchem go just now , and they will discover nothing to betray us . " " How have you prevented it ?" " Last night after I learned the danger which threatened us I wenfc to the Suburra ; the slaves

destroyed everything before my eyes : there is not a vestige remaining of the good Avorship of the stout-bellied Bacchus . " His hearers dreAV a long breath of relief . " In fact , " continued Balbus , " it is a Avonder

that Ave have not already been discovered , there has not been that proper concealment exercised which should have been done : we have met too often , and I have been recognised by Cenna . If

any of the women have been , it will be a most serious matter . " This put an entirely new face upon the affair , and those who had eagerly spoken for a continuance of the revels UOAV held their peace . They saAV that

their place of meeting was no longer a safe one , and did not press their wishes further in that respect . Still they did nofc relish the idea of abandoning their vicious worship , and Murenna said .:

" Well , let the Suburra go , our own bouses , as Balbus says , most truly will be the more secure . Let us fix upon the order of our meetings , so that Bacchus may have no reason to complain of his worshippers . "

"There is plenty of time for that , Murenna , '' Balbus replied , " when Ave have secured our safety . Who knoAVS but every one of our names have been given up to Trajan ? Remember this , every proof of our existence is gone , but that will

not prevent the Emperor setting spies upon us , and if we are found constantly together in one or other's houses , a guard Avill some night surprise us in the midst of our devotions . " " What then , is our pleasant society to be broken up ?"

" Far from it . Let the tempest blow past , and in more favourable days we can renew it . Even yet Ave may meet at intervals , if not in Rome , in the country . Do you not concur with me , Murtius ?" .

" In every word . We are in great danger . Do not let us add to that danger , by imprudently neglecting ordinary caution . " " Very well , " said Murenna , " so long as we may meet , I am with you . Now aboufc this

pestilent Cenna . " Cenna unfortunately for himself had become avrare of fche existence of the Bacchanals . One night , in traversing the Suburra , he had come across Balbus on his way to the society , and

wondering what could bring him there at such an hour , he dogged his steps to the meeting house . He was surprised to see several men and women of the highest rank enter it , and resolved to discover the meaning of the mystery , he Avaited

patiently their forthcoming . Far on in the mornino * he watched , bufc no gleam of lig ht Avas seen , no noise was heard from that mysterious house , and when the dawn approached , those Avho were within crept stealthily away in ones and twos . Cenna's first thought pointed to a meeting of the

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1867-01-12, Page 7” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 29 March 2023, masonicperiodicals.org/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_12011867/page/7/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN CORNWALL. Article 1
MONS. VICTOR HUGO'S ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF POOR LITTLE CHILDREN. Article 4
THE NEMESIS: A TALE OF THE DAYS OF TRAJAN. Article 6
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES . Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 10
MASONIC LIBRARIES. Article 11
MASONIC MEMS. Article 11
METROPOLITAN. Article 12
PROVINCIAL. Article 13
ROYAL ARCH. Article 17
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 17
SCOTLAND. Article 17
IRELAND. Article 17
ISLE OF MAN. Article 18
Obituary. Article 18
THE WEEK. Article 19
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

terms of intimacy with him , for he had always sound advice to give in moments of trouble . "There is little use in controversy IIOAV , " he said in answer to their arguments , " one spy has been discovered , but who can tell how many more

• there may be . Cenna is a babbling fool , and not likely to keep a secret of such importance to himself . Our existence has been revealed to the Emperor , and doubtless the Suburra will be carefully watched in future . Ifc was a grave mistake to have gone there at all . "

"Why where else could Ave have gone to ?" " To some of our OAvn houses , taking the entertainments in turn : No chance then of a discovery . It must furthermore be remembered , that on the disappearance of Cenna , every engine will be put

in force to discover his fate , suspicion will at once point to us . " "Carefully executed we have little fears of ifc ever being known . Does any one knoAV what has come over Cossus ? he , too , has disappeared , some say foully , and Cassius is moving heaven and earth to discover him . "

" I hear , " said a young noble , " he had given important information against some conspirators , but the names have not transpired . It is suspected that they learned his discovery and so removed him . "

"Very possibly , " said Balbus , " and it only shows IIOAV careful we must be to avoid any chance of discovery . When Cenna is not to be found , ¦ the Suburra will be searched . " " Then our house will be discovered ?"

" Doubtless , what then ?" "They will find sufficient to condemn us all . " " Yes , if I had been of a like mind with yon , but everything is ready for their reception . Let

-fchem go just now , and they will discover nothing to betray us . " " How have you prevented it ?" " Last night after I learned the danger which threatened us I wenfc to the Suburra ; the slaves

destroyed everything before my eyes : there is not a vestige remaining of the good Avorship of the stout-bellied Bacchus . " His hearers dreAV a long breath of relief . " In fact , " continued Balbus , " it is a Avonder

that Ave have not already been discovered , there has not been that proper concealment exercised which should have been done : we have met too often , and I have been recognised by Cenna . If

any of the women have been , it will be a most serious matter . " This put an entirely new face upon the affair , and those who had eagerly spoken for a continuance of the revels UOAV held their peace . They saAV that

their place of meeting was no longer a safe one , and did not press their wishes further in that respect . Still they did nofc relish the idea of abandoning their vicious worship , and Murenna said .:

" Well , let the Suburra go , our own bouses , as Balbus says , most truly will be the more secure . Let us fix upon the order of our meetings , so that Bacchus may have no reason to complain of his worshippers . "

"There is plenty of time for that , Murenna , '' Balbus replied , " when Ave have secured our safety . Who knoAVS but every one of our names have been given up to Trajan ? Remember this , every proof of our existence is gone , but that will

not prevent the Emperor setting spies upon us , and if we are found constantly together in one or other's houses , a guard Avill some night surprise us in the midst of our devotions . " " What then , is our pleasant society to be broken up ?"

" Far from it . Let the tempest blow past , and in more favourable days we can renew it . Even yet Ave may meet at intervals , if not in Rome , in the country . Do you not concur with me , Murtius ?" .

" In every word . We are in great danger . Do not let us add to that danger , by imprudently neglecting ordinary caution . " " Very well , " said Murenna , " so long as we may meet , I am with you . Now aboufc this

pestilent Cenna . " Cenna unfortunately for himself had become avrare of fche existence of the Bacchanals . One night , in traversing the Suburra , he had come across Balbus on his way to the society , and

wondering what could bring him there at such an hour , he dogged his steps to the meeting house . He was surprised to see several men and women of the highest rank enter it , and resolved to discover the meaning of the mystery , he Avaited

patiently their forthcoming . Far on in the mornino * he watched , bufc no gleam of lig ht Avas seen , no noise was heard from that mysterious house , and when the dawn approached , those Avho were within crept stealthily away in ones and twos . Cenna's first thought pointed to a meeting of the

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