The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-10
the cLADlATORs.

In the days OF Nero, there were two
valiant Roman knights, whom we VIII
name respectively, Honorus and Con-
stantine. They were firm friends, hav-
| ing been reared together in tenderness
and love-. Unfortunately they became
| o enamured n OF the same lady-the beautl-
full Myra-and their affection for each
other was changed into the bnbefest
hate. The lady was not only one OF the
loveliest OF her sex, but she was cour-
ayeOus and aHectionate; a bold huntress,
| whom no obstacle could hinder, nor
danger overcome.
| Myra and Constantine were happy in
their mutual love. No shadow crossed
their pain. They had nothing to fear,
for Constantine was brave, and secure
| in the employment of the emperor's ia
vor, ana yet their deadly hour OF peril
came.
| AS we have said, Honorus loved Myra
with an intensity Of affection that oyer.
came ali honorable scruples. His hatred
| toward Constantine exceeded his Tor
mer love. The Pagans, believing in nc.
future life, have no Conscientious scru-
pies; and bitter enmity meant death to
| one at least.
One day, the much loved Constantine
received u message from the emperor,
desiring him to take part III the 'gladla-
torial encounters OF the amphltheater
the ruins OF which are now called the
Coliseum). A refusal would lose him
his knishtly honor, and perhaps subject
4 aim ~ Il Illuminating death.
We have said the Pagans believed In
lno future life, .buL they had supersLi-
tion TO The effect that the ghosts OF the
dead We're made propitlous Dy the she'd
ding oi human blood; and lille Was held
at 4 very low price, believing that the
death OF one benefited many.
AT first only slaves ana captlves en-
tered the arena, forced ,thlthef by the
bereayeu relatives Oh dead noble. But
the amphilheater speedily became mere
amusenlenL Or the scene ior publicly
Isettling party or private ieuds-eyen
women were sometimes enrolled a, glad
Iiators, to avenge an injury OF sustain a
right.
Myra was deeply concerned to hear Of
| the emperors message TO her beloved;
Tor, although Constantine was nol per-
nlitted 10 iearn the name oil his oppo-
nent, she rightly judged il to be none
other than Honorus.
Soon afterward, Honorus received a
challenge " deadly combat In the same
! arena from an unknown knignt. The
| first caalienge, OF course, took prece-
|
| Honorus would be required to battle
| Win the new challenger. Ii Honofus
\ fell, thesl the honor OF, the UNKNOWN
would of course be satisfied.
This is sufficient Introduction 10 the
briet story We have 10 tell.
1 The alHphitheater was crowded with
Roman cItizens, attracted thither by the
announcement OF the coming battle. rhe
i emperor sat apart, ma seal reserved for
Il A. al - III N o.
and enjoying -the anticipation OF the
deadly fray, just as theater -goers enjoy
, the expectation Of the coming scene.
! Constantine was the frst to enter. He
was applauaed by thesassembled multi
Itude. Then came Honorus. Both were
! well clad in knignsfy armor, which COW
n cred their arms, loins and portions Of
the face, leaving the bfeust exposed t6
the tfeaeherous sword OF dagger. .
/ The contestants bowed very grace.
. tfuliy, clasped hands, and retired sey-
, lerai PAGES. The attendants offered clubs
I of VI ood to each, but THESE were refused
.lby both. Swords Were then urnishet
them, and the combatants were sworn II
tight until death. :. n
constantine scanned the great eX
!, panse OF eager faces, in search Of Myra's
! lmuch.loyed form. she was not present
= Notipg the action, Honorus smiled bit
: terly; but he, too, was disappointed.
The combat was long and furious
sometimes one, sometimes the other, hal
the vantage. They were evenly matched
t The prolonged shouts OF the SPECTATOR
r were deafening to the ear, The empe
. ror's interest was arouseds He wavei
his hand, commanding silence and g.
!, tention. At length Constantine fell
!, ffrom thrust of his opponents sword.
Then the plaudits, VI the spectator
t were restrained no longer. With hi
d foot upon the neck of Constantine, he
0 norus looked triumphantly upward. Hi
I-i enemy's life, he knew was in the hand
= OF, the Spectators. The wound was bu
aI Islight-merely suficient to cause 'hi
t backward tall; buL Hoporus dared nc
d lmake another thrust at, the prostrat
6 form without permission from the spec
tators.
II they desired that be should live
J, lthey would clasp their hands, thupb
. upward. II it was their desire that Cor
!, |stantine should die, they would hoi
J, their finger aud thumb towsrd the falie
= man,
. The signs were equal.
= Then Nero caused the heralds to prt
!. claim that the wound of the falle
!, should be tended well, and II he wa
~ sufficiently recovered, that he shoul
give battle to the victor Of the comm
Q. engagement between Hanorus and th
le unknown knight.
" After hfIet interval, the trumpe
ID sounded again, and the stranger el
N tered. To the surprise Of aD, it was
10 womanl
,fl Her srlowy breast was bare to the Of
Ii slaught Of the enemy's sword. Her fac
lr and the rest OF her body were envelope
II in shining armor, which added to Il
Igrace and beauty OF her form.
sMyraV cried HOnortis, trembling.
y He knew She could be no other.
" The female knight bowed her hes
le slightly, in token Of assent; then 81
9 took up her weapon and bade him pr
o Il can not fgM with thee" he sal
y tenderly. II love thee, Myra."
Y "My true knight is Constantine" 81
~ replied. 'I am here to ayenge
~ wounds"
" Honorus paled and trembled.
uHe is afraid--he is afraidV the spe
IA tators cried. "a knight OF the ampf
L. theater covers at the sight Of woman
q. He seowled at the assembled muh
a, tude, then took up his sword and said
ps Myra: a.
Of .Tby death be upon thy own headl J
q. least will have che satisfaction Of d
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