Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-26

the form of an amphitheatrc, some twenty
deep, or. more, to accommodate those
many thousands who desired to witness
| the games. sdf 40 az .d1 ,.qEr 1!
Such were the arrangements for the
military games on that OCCASION -.-,,4 -.
CHAPTER III.
THE GAMES. !" '' If
The sun rosc brightly Ger the Thracian
Hills, and lighted upon the imposing
camp Of the Roman 1egions, giving bril-
liancy and sp1endor to the spectacle. No
sight is ever more glorious than that in
which The first rays of the mornings sun
strike upon the stacked arms, and Oh the
snow-white tents of large army, as 1T
rcposes in some luXurient valley. or on
some wide extended plain. In the Ro.
man days must it have been extremely
so, from the fact that SO much was given
for show and decoration, to the Roman
soldicry. 1t was the eagles of the legionS,
the towering plumes, the gay attire, and
the dazzling spikes and shields and swords
that made the Roman warrior pride him.
self i'll his profession, more, far more,
than any love he bore. his long and toll
some marches, and his quick despatch
from one climate to another, so hazardous
to life in all ages of the world. a' a. ..y3t
Brightly, then, the morning opened on
the day of the games, in honor of Scverus'
young son.
| Ere the sun had risen, thousands of
Barbarians were found seated about the
arena and before the hour of eight in
the morning, the immense area was
thronged to its utmost capacity, all watch
ing eagerly for the first appearance of the
Emperor. At length, herald, from
stand beside the royal tent proclaimed to
all the assembly: .r a.
- Romans and Barbarians /. arise, and
behold your Emperor ~
Immediately the blast of all hundred
trumpctS sounded, and 'Severus, upon
a white charger, surrounded by his guard
of Pr8torians rode into the enclosure,
amidst the wild acclamations of that vast
assemblagc. lie waved his hand for
silence, and dismounting, with his guards
the steeds were led away, whilehe asceliI
ded the throne in his gorgeous peryillion.
Then arose another bursting shout, echo
ing and rechoing through the surrounding
hills, and dying away in the distant
valleys and mountain gorges. Again the
Emperor waved his hand, and then, in
silence there he sat, in purple robes, and
jcwelled armine, the pruudest ruler of the
universe. But now he speaks. I.-'.r
Romans, and barbarians, We have
halted here, upon our march, among these
hills of Thrace, whence we have arrived,
from the chastiscment of rebels, to honor
the birthday of our noble son, voting
Geta. And here sit, to view the sports,
and feats of strength and prowess of my
faithful legions; those who shall please to
enter this wild arena. And now, if any
there be among all this wide concourse of
| Thracian harbarians, who dare dispute
the prizes of these games with my bold
Romans, here in camp, let them present
themselves, and if they find success, shall
at my hands receive the true reward of
all their skill. Now sound the trumpet
loud, and let the games begin"
The trumpet sounded, and instantly
a gap was madein the throng, and through
it rushed two soldiers of the legions,
armed with huge clubs, both mailed in
steel al cnpnt ad CNd'tm Entering the
arena, they first eyed each other close,
for both were powerful and huge-limbed,
large-trunked men. Turning first to the
Emperor, they bowed low; he answering,
waved his right hand gently. The COM
batants, now erect, each strobe to Oppo-
site sides of the arena; then turning
!. quickly, bounded forward, and meeting
in the centre, fell upon each other like
two wild lions. Heavy blows fell from
each; some upon their heads, their shoul-
derS, arms and breasts. Not long was
such a harsh contest to be waged; and
ere an hours first quarter had run out,
one of the warriors fell beneath the stroke
of the pondrous club of his adversary,
which drove, as it were, his head full
beneath his shoulders. He fell, and the
trumpet sounded his defeat, whilst ac-
claims from the greedy-eyed multitude
rung out in widest notes of appreciation
and delight :. '..fa.f
Bring hither the VICTOR" cried the
Emperor. THY reward for this brave
and stout-armed deed, bold Alrus, is. to
bear the eagle of thy legion. Now to thy
tent for repose." The victor bowed, we'll
pleased at his high success, and proud of
his honor, again bowed low before Scve-
rus, and retired. ..'
Commence the games anew" Severus
cried; and upon the trumpets sounding,
into the arena passed three scores of tall
archcrS and spcarmen. The people Shout
ed, as they all made obeisance before the
Emperor and when he waved his hand,
silence was resumed. All in armor clad,
with wide, thick, shining, brazen shields,
these combatants, without ! ceremony,
commenced their furious attack Divided
:nto +r.1, NJ rt;oc- of cnoro aud q Lalf a.,