Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-29
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
AGRICOLA, THE ROMAN SLAVE,
A SCENE IN ROME.

| SCENE IN ROME.
The aisles ofthe chapel, lately throngcd with
many worshippers, were silent The sounds of
| prayer which had echoed through the proined
root were hushed. The assembly which had
kncit in solemn devotion, had disappeared :; and
the stone inage-the senseless object of their
| adoration-smiled grimly in the gloomy lonei-
| ness, as his chselled features displayed them
selves in the temple, erected by superstitious
| wealth, to his service.
But one individual remained, long robe of
sombre hue conccalng his person, who leaned,
as II in deep thought against the pedestal, on
which stood the deity. He was the deity.
a low shadow was cast on the floor, and in
stan,Iy aitcrward, tall, gaunt figure appeared
at the door; mantle of spotess white over.
hung his shoulders, scarcely conceainr his
broad and ample chest. The erectness of his
carriage. the dignity of his attitude, the fire of
his eye, the holiness of his step, and the proud
curl upon his lip, proclaimed him to be man
of rank and ambition.
a 'ontemptuous sneer played upon his coun-
tenance-As he cast his eyes about the sane
tuary, he glanced towards the stern deity itself,
as lis dciormed features seemed to assume an
expression of Indignation at the audacity ofthe
intruder. The stranger then turned toward
the alter on which, in golden vase, richly
studded with jewels, burned an offering of
trankincensc, emitting a pale blue smoke,
which rose and festooncd from pillar TO pillar,
disseminating its perfume through the adjacent
space. None ofthese, however, seemed to pro-
duce either awe or respect in the mind ofthc
Roman; for strding past the shrine, he cried
Priest dost slecpr
The individual whom he addressed slowly
turned his head, and muttered, .'tis he = then
drawing his robe more closely about him, an.
swercd
mo, I sleep not The priest ofthis deity is
not IS other men, he needs no sleep
Cease this folly, cried the senator impa-
tientIy; well know all tricks and juggles of
thy craft: save thy precious trash to dose the
vuigar-rescrvc thy lectures for the fools who
knccl to this thing of stone!'
Beware rash man. returned the Priest,
show, in the sanctuary of this house, you brave
his vengeance what thou thinkcst stone, NAV
possoSs power TO strike terror to even thy stub
born hcart.'
'Forbear this idle talk exclaimed the other.
'ldle talk repeated the Priest, with deep
soemnity of manner, 'obdurate as thou art, this
deity through me, can disclose that, which
would make thee tremble
Il would fain witness the skill of which thou
vauntcst,' said the senator, in more serious
manner for, he was unconSc iously imbibing
portion Of the awe which pcrvaded the place
Thou shalt be gratifed, returned the Priest
What | now tell, thou thinkest buried in thine
own bosom, unknown by others if disclose
to thee, doubt not that he who presides here,
can read the hearts Of all who approach him,
whether 10 worship or to scoh.'
PmccrG, proceed cried the other.
Twenty years since Armcnius, thou vert
general. the commander of legion-'
well done, for the omnscience of thy god,'
cried the Roman, jeeringly my many tri-
umphs have chronicled the truth of thy remark
in the archives of the republic. Is this thy
wonder =
Interrupt me not answered the Priest
calmly; when | finish, speak what words
thou'st mind--tIll then, listen. Twenty years
since, when thou vert general thou had'sta
friend-ha start'st thou now Twenty years
since, too had friend, but | do not tremble
Thy friend loved thee, served thee, and shared
his all with thee. Through his high influence
when accused before the senate, thou saved
thy name, thy honor, and thy life. Although
thy junior, thou soughtes, him for advice, and
victory When surrounded by barbarians, and
the plum taken from one of thine own band,
was hurled at thee, his buckler wardcd off the
well directed blow-but,' and his manner be-
came more impressive, his voice more melodi.
ous that friend, alas! loved an Italian girl
soft, pure, and lovely as the sky which arches
her native land-Sce, thou start'st again did
not tell thee would make thee tremble
Yes, he loved the girl not with the vile feeling
which tempted thee to gaze upon her charms
and admire her for them alone. His fondness
was for herself, her rich, angelic mind, more
than even her dazzling beauty. Treacherously
thou strovest to supplant him in her affections,
by the splendor Of military rank, knowing as
he had conhded to thee, that their vows had
Lnnr, al