Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-27
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OR, THE THRACIAN WRESTLER.
CHAPTER V.
iCONTINUED.I |
MANIMIN AND EOLUNTINA.

Among the ThracianS was barbarian
chicfnam Ormerans; one who had often,
from his treachcry to his -own country
and his devotion to Rome, been invested
with flattcring commissions by the present
and last two Emperors. He had daugh-
ter, whose name was VOluntina. Born
of noblcst Thracian blood, and far-famea
for beauty withal, she looked down with
scorn upon those of her own countrvmen
who had never won Roman favor, and
these were few among the Thracians. At
least she found no Thracian whom she
deemed worthy of her, yet she loved
Maximin, who had kept her fathers tlocks
from boyhood. Her father, too, raised
by his Emperors to something of state in
his country, desired to we'd hia daughter
to some Roman patrlcian or consul S
son.
Maximin, from his youngest years had
fixed his heart upon the beautiful Nolun-
tina, and ever sought to mould her mind
to his attachment. But as they grew
older. and her station advanced, MaXimin
could but see that his hopes were fast les
sening; and unless he made bold efforts
to disentangle himself from his low con-
dition, Voluntina never could be his. He
consequently determined, at the games
to eXalt himself by means of his immense
strength and powers OF endurance. In
this, success had been emnently his.
Among the mighty throng assembled
ats the games that day, were Ormerans
and the voluptuous and beautiful Volunti-
ma, who had been seated not far distant
from the Emperor, on his right; and from
whose conspicuous position both had
viewed with pleasure the fcats and sue
cess Of MaXimin. More joy the maiden
felt, when she saw her lover receive, SO
often, from the hands of Scyerus, the
awards of his victories.
When the games had closed, laden
with the rich prizes ofthe arena and fresh
from the hands Of his Emperor, MaXimin
hastened to the palace of Ormerans. By
this time, the moon, in her third quarter,
had risen, and it's pale light fell swcctly
upon the green hills of Thracc, revealing
the lofty mountains far off, as they lifted
up their peaks in grandeur to the blue
sky.
He found Voluntina reclining in a pri-
vate arbor, near her bcd-chambcr, from
which she could enter bya private stair
case. She started as Maximin made his
appearance, but became composed when
she recognized the intruder.
What Maximin -
alt is [, fair lady; come first to thee,
in duty, from the games. Thou sawest
my deeds and my awards; 10, here, lay
them all down at thy teet..''
NAY, nay, AIaximin, will not take
them; thou shall keep them for thysclf,
as tokens of thy prowcsS.
'Thou wiltnot take them then Lady,
they were won with honor; and for thee
they were won. To me, these are mere
baubles, poorer than the pebbles on the
shore of yon sea, until thou callcst them
thine. Nay, take them, they are honor
able gifts. am no more mean barbarian
peasant, though barbarian still" And
laying them in her lap turned away,
Stay, stay, Maximin;" Voluntina said,
''thou wouldst notleaveme quite so soon" "
"Dost accept my gifts g
Il would, but my fathcr-1 fear for
what he should say
Thy father did he not see how hon
orably they were won Z"
"Ah, yes; he saw, and much admired
thy feats, and looked satisfyingly on thy
awards"
What did your father say, fair lady,
of my victories 2"
=" He boldly said, Maximin, that he was
proud of his peasant youth, and very
often clapped his hands; did'st not see
hing"
NAY, lady, / only saw thy prideful