The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-22

met by a second wound, Dut ms Impulse was
irresistible, and Constantius was flung upon
the ground. A cry Of natural horror rang
around the amphitheatre. The struggle was
now for instant life or death. They rolled
over each other-the lion reared upon ms
hind feet, and, with gnashng teeth ana a's-
tended talons, plunged on the man-agaln ney
rose together Anxiety was now ., i,s W,'ucs'
height. The sword swung round the cnan,,
pion's head in bloody circles. lney ren
again. covered with blood and dust. The
hand nf Constantus had grasped the lions
name. and the furious bounds OF the monster
could not loose the hold, but his strength was
evidently giving wayne still struck terrible
blows, but each blow was weaker than the one
before-tilI, collecting his whole force for
last effort, he darted one mighty blow into the
lions throat, and sank. The savage yelled,
and spouted out blood, fed howlng round the
arena But the hand still grasped the name
and there his conqueror was dragged whirling
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
at every vein, was still too terrible, and all
shrunk from the hazard. AT last the grasp
gave way, and the body lay motionless upon
the ground.
what happened for some moments after
know not There was a struggle at the
portal; female forced her way through the
guards, rushed in alone, and flung herself
upon the victim. The sight Of new prey
reused the lion he tore the ground with his
talons--he dashed his streaming sides with
his tail he lifted up his name, and barred his
fangs. But his approach was no longer with
a bound he dreaded the sword, and came
snuffing the blood on the sand, and stealing
round the body in circuits still diminishing.
The confusion in the vast assemblage was
now extreme Voices innumerable called for
aid. Women screamed and tainted; men
burst into indignant clamors at this prolonged
cruelty Even the hard hearts of the popu-
lace, accustomed as they were to the sacrifice
of life, were aroused to honest curses. Their
guards grasped their arms, and waited for
sign from the Emperor. But Nero gave no
sign.
blocked upon the woman's face. 1t was
Salome ! sprang upon my feet; called her
by every feeling nature to fly from that place
Of death, to come to my arms, to think OF the
agonies Of all that love her.
she had raised the head of Constantius on
her knee, and was wiping the pale visage with
her hair. At the sound of my voice she look
ed up, and calmly casting back the locks from
her forehead, fixed her eyes upon me. She
still knelt; one hand supported the head, with
the other she pointed to it, as her only answer.
again adjured her. There was the silence Of
death among the thousands around me- A fire
flashed in her eyes-her cheek burned.-She
waved her hand with an air of superb sorrow.
= am come to die, she uttered in lofty
tone. This bleeding body was my husband.
have no father The world contains to me
but this clay in my arms. YETI and she kiss
ed the ashy lips before her. Yet my Con-
stantius, it was to save that father that your
generous heart defed the peril Of this hour. 1t
was to redeem him from the hand Of evil, that
you abandoned your quiet home Yes, cruel
father, here lies the noble being that threw open
your dungeon, that led you safe through the
confagration, that to the last moment 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 a tone Of
wild power, he was betrayed, and may the
powers whose thunders avenge the cause Of
his people, pour down just retribution upon
the head that dared --n
'Iheard 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 upon the bars before me, and
plunged into the arena by her side. The
height stunned me; l tottered few PAGES and
fell. The lion gave roar and sprang upon
me. ! lay helpless under him. felt his fiery
BREATH saw his lucid eye glaring heard
the CHASING of his white fangs about 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 howl. He drop
ped-he was dead. The amphitheatre thun-
dered with acclamations.
While Salome was 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
broke in the heart of the monster. The whole
multitude stood up, supplicating for our lives
in the name of filial piety and heroism. Nero,
devil as he was, dared not resist the strength
of the popular feeling. He waved, "a signal to
the guards; the portal was opened; and my
children, sustaining my feeble steps and
showered with garlands and ornaments from
innumerable hands, slowly led me from the
arena.-Saldthiel.
how ,tor tall of' !,