, 1841-08-14

A Sketch from The Reign Of Nero.
By WILEY POPE HALE, JACKSON, TENNESSEE.
CHAPTER l..
I.ee before me the Gladiator lie;
He lean. upon his hanG-his manly brow
Consents &c death, but conquers agony:
All hi. drop'd head sink gradually low.
Byron.
THE theatre was crowded to owe flowing.
The blood thirsty Nero. attended by Burrius
and Seneca. had already arrived. and taken
his usual seat high above the arena, to wit
ness the combat. A more disIDtereSted ex-
preston of countenance cannot be concerv-
ed, than that which characterized the features
Of the emperor, as he sat looking down up,
on the arena, now prepared for the sacrifice
of his victim. The populace. long since ac-
customed to such fendish exhibitions OF his
tyranny. had commenced their usual prac-
tice OF Kissing al the appearance OF Nero.
who now rose TO hls feet. and demanded in
an authoritative tone Of the attending lTctorS
to bring forth the devoted combatanis. I'm
mediaiely. al this command, The wide and
heavy doors which formed the entrance 10
the arena. flew ajar, as if by magic. and
sword in hand, appeared the devoted GiadIa-
tors. who, forced bv the fteia.S into the cen
tire OF the arena. IN silence awaited the srg-
nal to commence. The one was an athletic
slave-the ~favoritc Of the inhu nan monarch
OF Rome-trained from his infancy 10 the
sword, to execute the private deeds ot ven
geance of his ROYAL master. With a careless
air of selfconidence he stood regarding his
unwilling but naughty antagonist with 4
smile Of contempt. as he proudly signifed to
the emperor his readiness lc commence the
conflict. which was TO add IN 'ther TO the
already innumerabl crimes al Nero. The
other was Il Goth, xlIo. Tor some pretended
offence. had incurred the disp!easure of Ne
.ro. and hv his o-der had been CONDEMNED to
ft,ht the skillful Gladiator before himself and
the popuIace. He seemed to be a MN some
wears past the meridian Of life. and his fur
rcwed cheeks and silverv looks gave evident
proof of past care and sorrow. Without ex-
hibiting the least SIN Of fear or trepIda,inn.
he informed the lictor OF his willingness 10
begin the combat. n the same time he cast
one fire well. lingering l"nk To-" ards the As
sembly of people, rs If expecting To behold
some loved one for the las; 'In'". T. Al instant
Nv he turned AWAY dr>Ipp"iu'e at not meet
ing the familiar cruhtenance q. the one ex
pectrd. The populace were 80" evidently
moved to sympathy at the appearance OF the
venerable coubItani. his gray hairs, wrrnk
led brow. majestic air. and noble bearing, all
consrired TO excite and arouse the dormant
feelings of humanity, in favor at the prison
err. and loud murmurs of Misrepresentation
might be distinctly heard 10 issue from the
gallery. In a short time the noise increased,
and The words Of s.Drwn with the t~yrantt"
s.L.et's slav the murderer. We're successive
" waited 10 the ears %. the afiurhied Nero.
who. framing At the mouth, now arose and
exclained-sBy Jupiter! the slave thai
speaks shall fgh, himself-now silence, fools.
and let the fight commence"
AT these words. Majes'icus, the prisoner
started from his revere. His whole frame,
which before had appeared so calm. was now
distorted with rage, fire flashed from hs
hitherto dull black eve-inrning Ia the cItI-
Gems he exclaimed. Humans ard friends! lis
ten while | tell YOU The cause Of this; have
We daughters! had one and loved her,
out the tyrant-"
.At,ack him, Sexrusr" exclaimed the en-
ragged emperor, TO the Gladiator, fearing sumo
sudden disclosure. Scarcely had the con-
mand been given. when the hirelrng slave.
already tired Of the long delay, rushed with
an impetuous attach upon his unspractised
opponet. The shock though unexpected,
was received by the victim n manner
worthy Of a more experienced swordsmans;
ut the same time recovering, he inflicted mp
on The neck of the slave a wound which
caused him to stagger, streaming with blood,
across the arena. Loud shouts Of applause
now rent the theatre, and the Goth, astonish-
ed at bis own success, followed up his advan-
tage, and repeating his blow, brought the Ro-
man 10 his knee. All were now on the tip
toe Of expectation-loud cries of @Slay the
v~iIsin," now burst from the seats, aud the