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

s.A portal ofthe arena opened, and the
combaiant, with mantle thrown over
his face ard figure, was led IN, surround
ed by the soldiery. The lion roared,
and ramped against the bars of his den
at the sight. The guard put sword
and buckler into the hands Of the Chris
tim, and lie was left alone. lie drew
the mnntle from his face, and bent
slow aud firm look round the amphithe-
atre. His fine countenancs and lofty
bearing raised an universal sound fad
miration. He might have stood for an
Apollo encountering tho Python. His
eye ut last turned on mine. Could
lbclicye my- senses /! Constantius was
before me -
"All my rancour vanished. An hour
past could have struck the betrayer to
the heart; l could have called on the
seyerest vengeance Of man and heaven
to smite the destroyer Of my child. But,
to sec him hopelossly doomed the man
whom had honored for his Noble quail
tiles, whom, l had even loved, whose
crime was at the worst but the crime Of
giving way to tho strongest temptation
that can bewilder the heart of man to
see this noble creature flung to the saw
age beast, dying in tortures, torn piece
meal before my eyes. and this misery
wrought by me. would have obtested
earth aud heaven to save him. But my
tongue cleaved to the roof Of my mouth.
NV limbs refused to stir. would have
thrown myself at the feet ofNero but
sat like man Of stone,-pale, paralyzed
the beating of my pulses stopt--my
eyes alone alive.
"The gate ofthe den was thrown back
aud the lion rushed in with roar, and
bound that bore him halls across the
arena. saw the sword glitter in the
air when it waved again, it was cover
ed with blood. A howl told that the
blow had been driven home. The lion.
one of the largest from Numidia, and
made furious by thirst and hunger, an
animal Of prodigious power, crouched
for nm instant as il to make sure Of his
prey, crept a few pnces onward, and
sprang ut the victims throat. He was
met by second wound, but his impulse
was irrcsistible, and Constantius was
flung upon the ground. A cry of natu-
raj horror rang round the amphitheatre.
The struggle was now for instprt life or
death. They rolled over each other |;
the lion reared on its hind feet, and,
with gnashiug teeth and distended talons,
plunged on the man; again they rose to-
gc,hcr. Anxiety was now at its widest
height. The sword swung round the
champions head in bloody circles.
They fell again, covered with gore and
dust. The hand Of Constaniius had
grasped the lions name, and the furious
bounds of the monster could not loose
the hold; but his strength was evidently
giving way he still struck terrible blows,
bu, each was weaker than the one be-
fore /; till, collecting his whole force for
last eff;rt, he dartsd one mighty blow
into the lions throat. and sank. The
savage yelled aud spouting out blood fed
bowling round the arena But the hand
Istill grasred tire mane and his conqueror
was dragged whirIing through the dust
at his heels. A universal outcry now
arose to save him, il he were not already
dead. But the lion. though bleeding
from every vein was still too terrible, and
all shrunk from the hazard. AT length
the grasp gave way. and the body lay
moiionless upon the ground.
"Whst happened for some moments
after knew not. There was q struggle
at the portal; female forced her way
through tho guards, rushed in alone, and |
flung herselfupon tho victim. The sight
ofa new pray reused the lion; hs tore
the ground with his salons he Iashed his |
streaming sides with his tail he lifted |
up his mane, and barred his fnugs. But
his approach was no longer with a
bound be dreaded the sword. and cana |