The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-27
A Roman Hero.

In the war between Rome and Carthage, the consul
Regulus taken captive. lie was kept close prs
oner for two years pining and sickenng in his lone
ness while in the meantime the continued and at
last victory SO decisive was gained by the Romans
that the people of Carthage were discouraged and re-
solved to ask terms of peace They thought that no
one would be so readily listened to ht Rome Regu-
lus and they therefore sent ha there with their en-
voys, having first made him swear that he would come
back his prison if there should neither be peace
an exchange of prisoners They little knew how much
true-hearted Roman cared fbr bis city than Tor
himself-for bis word than for his life.
Worn and detected, the captive warrior came to the
outside Of the gates Of His own city and there paused
refusing to enter 81 am no longer Roman citizen,
he said: II but the barbaflans slave, and the sem
ate may not give audience 70 strangers WITHIN the walls
His wife Marcia out to greet his two sons
but he did not look up and received their caresses as
one beneath their notice. mere slave; and be con
tinued in spite of all entreaY, remain outside the
city and would even 50 I'd the little farm he had
loved so well.
The Roman senate as he would Hot come in to them,
came out TO hold their meeting in the Campagna.
The ambassadors spoke first then Regulus standing
up said as one repeating task; Conscript Fathers,
being slave to the Carthagenans, come or the part
Of my to treat with you concerning peace and
an exchange Of prisoners lie then turned to 90
away with the ambassadors as stranger might not Be
present at the deliberations Of THE senate His old
friends pressed him to stay and give his opinion as
senator who had twice been consult but he refused to
degrade that dignity by claiming j. slave as he was.
But at the command of his Cartlagenian masters he
remained, though not taking his scat.
Then he spoke He told the senators to perseveTe
in the war He said be had seen the distress of Car
thage and that peace would be only to her advantage
not to that Of Rome and therefore he strongly advised
that the war continue Then as to the exchange of
prisoners the Carthagenian generals who were in the
hands Of the Romans were in full health and strength
while he himself was too much broken down to be fit for
service again. and indeed he believed that his enemies
had given him slow poison and that he could not live
long Thus be insisted that 40 exchanged prisoners
should be made.
1t was wonderful, even to Romans, to hear a man
thus pleading against himself and their chief priest
forward and declared that as his oath had been
wre5ted from him by force he was not bound by it to
return to his captivity. But Regtus was too noble to
listen to this fer moment, ''Have YOU resolved to
dishonor me?" he said az am n6t ignorant that death
and the EXTREMIST orHres are preparing for me; but
what are these to tile shame of all infamous action or
the wounds Of guilty mind2 Slave as I am to Car
image have still the spirit Of Rome Ihave sworn to
return 1t is my duty to co. let the gods take of
the rest
The senate decided to follow the advice of Reculus,
though they bitterly regretted his sacrifice His wife
wept and entreated in vain that they would detain him.
they could merely repeat their permission to him to
remain; but nothing could prevai with him to break
his word and he turned back to the chains and death he
expected as calmly as If lie had been returning his
home. Book Of Golden Deeds.
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