The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-10-02

snufing the blood on the sand. and steal
ing round the body in circuits still di-
minishing.
The confusion in the vast assem-
bIage was now extreme. Voices ianu-
merabIe culled for aid. Women scream
ed and tainted; men burst into indignant
clamors at this prolonged cruelty. Even
the hard hearts of the populace, accus-
toned as they were to the sacrifice Of
life, were reused to honest curses, The
guards grasped their arms, and waited
but for a sign from the emperor. But
Nero gave no sign
81 looked upon the woman's face. 1t
was Salome sprang upon my feet. |
called on her name called on her by
every feeling Of nature to fly from that
place OF death TO come 10 my arms, to
think of the agonies Of all that loved her.
"She had raised the head pf Constan-
thus on her knee. and was wiping the
pale visage with her hair. Attha sound
Of my voice she looked up, and calmly
casting back the locks from her forehead,
fixed her gaze upon me. She still knelt |;
ono hand supported the head, with the
other she pointed to it, as her only an
swcr. again adjured her. There was
the silence Of death among the .hou-
sands round me. A fire flashing into
her eye-her cheek burned. She waved
her hand with an air ofsuperb sorrow.
".I am come to die, she uttered, in Il
lofty tone. 'This bleeding body was my
husband, have no father. The world
contains to me but this clay in my arms
Yet, and she kissed the ashy lips be-
foro her, yet, my Constantius, it was to
save that father, that your generous
heart defed the peril of this hour. Ii
was to redeem him from the hand of e.
vii, that you abandoned our quiet home !!
yes, cruel father, here lies the noble
being that threw open your dungeon, that
led you safe through the confiagration,
that to the last moments of his liberty,
only thought how he might preserve and
protect you.' Tears at length fell in
floods from her eyes. But said she, in
tone of wild power. 'he was betrayed !;
and may the Power whose thunders a
venge the cause of his people, pour down
just retribution upon the head that dar-
cd
81 heard my own condemnation about
to be pronounced by the lips of my child.
Wound up to the last degree of suffering
/ tore my hair, leaped on the bars before
me, and plunged into the arena by her
side. The height stunned me: Itotter-
ed forward a few PAGES and fell. The
lion gave roar and sprang upon me
lay helpless under him. felt his f.
cry breath-f saw his lured eye glaring
II heard the gnashing of his white fapgs
above me.
"An exulting shout arose. saw him
reel as if struck: gore filled his jaws.
Another mighty blow was driven to his
heart. He sprang high in the air with
q howl. He dropped; he was dead.
The amphitheatc thundered with accla-
nation.
"Witll Snlome clinging to my bosom,
Constantius raised me from the ground.
The roar Of the lion had reused him from
his swoon, and two blows saved me.
The falchion was broken in the heart Of
the monster. The whole multitude stood
up, supplicating for our lives in the name
of filial pieiy and heroism. Nero, devil
ne he was, dared not resist the strength
of the popular feeling. He waved sig
nal to the guards the portal was opened;
and my children, sustaining my feeble
steps, and showered with garlands and
ornaments from innumerabDe hands,
slowly led me from the arena"