"Hail! oh birthday of Caesar, day more bright and auspicious Ev'n than the day when, on Ida, Rhea gave birth to Zeus[15] Hail! and return more often than erst to Pylian Nestor,[16] Ever as bright as to-day, or a thousand times more fair. Many years yet may Caesar keep the feast of Minerva[17] Held on the Alban Hill; and confer the victor's wreath Twined of oak-leaves, the prize to crown the worthiest singer. Soon may he hallow the secular games with offerings and gifts! Great is the boon we ask; but from the gods in heaven Such a boon is due to Caesar, the god upon earth.[18]"
The melodious strain soared up from the temple of Saturn to the towering Palatium beyond.
But he, to whom the homage was offered, heard it not. Shut up with Clodianus and Parthenius, he was writing down on a wooden tablet the names of those, whom he devoted to death.[19] Parthenius read them out in a low voice, and the Emperor assented; then the chamberlain wrote down another list of names, and again they were discussed in an undertone. Domitian's face meanwhile grew more and more like that of a jaguar, lurking in ambush to pounce on his prey.
"And you, Clodianus," he whispered, almost inaudibly. "Do not you know of any reprobate wretch, who deserves to die?" He fixed his eye on the soldier's face.
"No, my lord," said the adjutant. "It seems to me, that you have not overlooked one."
"It is well. You will copy out the list--at once. The tablet I myself will keep. When Rome is saved, I will hang it up in the temple of Jupiter."
Clodianus took his writing implements out of the folds of his tunic.
"Perhaps," the Emperor added with a meaning smile.--"Perhaps another name or two may occur to me." And he hid the strip of lime-wood in his bosom.
"And now," he continued, "make your plans. I will not listen to anything till you can say to me: all is over; the deed is done. You know how cautiously, how warily you must proceed. Remember, your existence too is endangered; when a tree falls, the branches fall with it.--Go, my friends. If you triumph, I will endow you with power above all other mortals, and in splendor and honors you shall be equal with myself. I will name you my brothers."
He sank exhausted on to a chair; Parthenius and Clodianus left the room.