The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-12
naofnIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
FEW oRIEANs, SUNDAY. APRIL IL. Is7A.

! Tho fercest beast OF the DESERT sn1ihhs iioA'i
fire. Prudent and fortunate device! Lo
the hsrse seems OF last to have ascertained
that he who has this day mounted him Is
worthy Of his services; do you hear the tread
Of his hoofs, rs he traces the circle OF the
arena, guided by those steady hands from
which flames appear to flow. Faster ana
faster rushes the steed, always restrained and
turned by the outer torch, which is prougat
near his head, while the inner is held further
to the rear. His sides are fiecked with ioam'
The pace grows too rapid for short curve
and the steed is now guided straight 1or the
western opening in the arena opposite "hefe
we sit: while the light breeze from the cast
counteracts the current Of air made by the
animals own career, and keeps the Hare OF
those torches almost even. They are gone
and again bark Is not that shout like the roar
of yators on q storm beaten shore, Us hun
dred thousand men proclaim the success OF
generous and brave youth, who could face the
chance of being torn limb from limb in order
to give to a poor slave like me, condemned to
n friphtful death, his life and his liberty,
home and a futuref"
"But surely" said the imperial child, it is
not over SO soon. 1t islike dream"
returned Claudius. at was a wonderful
strurple-the youth looked beautiful; and in
the swirl, as you behold the graceful and
perfect rider, his hands apparently streaming
with flames, and his face calm and clear,
you would hare imagined that it was one OF
those beings whom the poets have feigned and
sung, as having gifts superior to the gifts OF
ordinary mcrtals, who was delivering some
terror stricken land from n demon, from
cruel monster and compelling ferocity, craft,
uproar, and violence to bend to far higher
forces to mans cool courage and mans keen
witt
Augustus, in his later years, showed o de-
creasing relish for the bloodier sports of the
arena and, in Difference to his taste, the
next spectacles were, first mere wrestling
match, and then o combat at the cestus, in
which the effort was to display skill rather
than infict injury.
This contest was just over, and the sun, as
if in wde-fowing garments of red and COLDER
clouds, had sunk level with the broad western
opening of the amphitheatre, when the hum O.
voices was hushed once more, and Claudiu,
was commanded in o whisper to resume his tasl
of rendering the scene upon which the child't
bodily eyes were temporarily closed, visible tc
his mind.
al cannot with certainty discern" said the
slave what occurs there is such vast
heavenly shield of red light hanging opposite
to us in the western skie. Against it, approach
ing at walking pace toward the gap in the
arena, along that avenue OF chesput trees il
the country, see n horseman All eyes are
,urned in that direction. 1t is he; it is Paulus
Lepidus Nmilius returning on the Sejan steed
the animal is enveloped in sweat, and dust,
and foam and rather stoops tho head which
locked SO fierce two hours ago; the rider has
thrown away those torches, and now holds the
reins low down on either side, u little in front
of the beasts shoulder His hat is gone, and
his brown locks as you see them against the
sun, are so touched with the light that he
seems to wear a head.gear of golden flames.
Hark again, as before, the people and the
army shout to him. He is bowling to them on
each side and now, as ho advances, what do l
seei".
The slave paused and the child impatiently
cried
Chow can l tell what you see, you dog
You are here for no other purpose than to tel
mo that"
"He has streaks ofblood upon his forehead, ,
resumed Claudius
"Oh on {" cried the other; 1.-THE branches
of the trees have no doubt struck him. Is he
palef Does he look fantf Is he going to
fall orr
'"No," said Claudus; he has retned in the
horse, which stands like horse of stone in
the middle of the arena. Tiberius aud Ger
manicus have both ridden toward him, with
their retinues ofmounted officers behind them
They have halted some six yards from him
As they speak, he bows his head aud smiles
a crowd Of people on foot have broken into
the arena. The grooms have drawn near, at
sign from Tiberius; they are cautiously ap
preaching the Seian beast but this last shove
no restiyeness. They have slipped the muzzlt
round his nose under the reins. The you'll
dismounts. do not see him now he ha,
become mixed with the crowd, think; yes
it must be SO, for miss him altogether"
Augustus now rose, and his rising was taker
by the multitude as o signal that the enter
tainments of the amphitheatre for that eve
ming had closed.
EIoIF