The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-01-26
THE DEATH OF NERO.
THE LAST ACT IN THE DRAMA OLA cowARp's
LIFE.

A writer in Good Words draws this pic
ture of the death of Nero:
Nero wandered out into the streeta o.
Rome, Knocked at the doors of friends; no ne
would answer or let him in. He came back
to bis bed room, called for Spicillus, the
gladiator. to kill him, but Spicilius was
gone. "What' said he to Epaphrodtua
bis secretary, who had now Joined him
"haVe neither friend nor foe 7" and he
rushed out again to throw himself into the
Ilber; but his courage failing him and his
reason growing clear once more in the face
Of appalling calamity, he wished for some
quiet place where he might consider his
strange and sudden position and collect his
thoughts for death. With his head mu fl ID
up and covering his face with haudker-
chief, dressed only in a tunic with an old
soiled cloak thrown over his shoulder, he
trudged along barefoot in the gloom of the
early twilight, accompanied by Phaon,
Sporus, and Epaphroditus. AS these four
SUNK out of the Nomentane gate together
like common wayfsriDg men, they could
hear the soldiers in the PIHtorian camp on
their right cursing Nero tho Beast and
halling Galba as the Father of his country.
"Th"y are in pursuit of Nero" said man
as he passed them. "Any news in the city
aboat Nero 7" asked another. There was
no time to spare. They found him q broken
down horse which he mounted and they
hurried on. AT last they reached the villa
OF Phaon, paTched with thirst; the Emperor
Tapped up some water with his own hands
from running tank with tho bitter lest,
"this is Nero's distilled water" He crept
quietly into the house on all-fours through
hole in the wall and threw himself on the
hrst mattress prostrate with hunger,
misery, and fatigue. Then he ordered a
grave to be dug before bis eyes, for he re-
fused to fly. He bade them pave the
tI1 lhlo u
he prepared, surrounded by his. only ro-
naming friends, to play his last act. "What
an artist ls now about to perish - he ex
claimed, but ere the words left his lips a
from Rome arrived, which he
out of Phaon's hands. He read
it and shudGered. He bad been condemn
ed by the Senate to be beaten to death and
dragged by the heels AID tlang into the
Tiber. SeIzing two daggers ne felt their
points. Greek verses occurred to him and |
he began to recite. He begged Seorus to
set up wall for him-to kill hini-to xiii |
him first. AT this moment the trampling |
Of horses and clash of armed men were |
!eard below. He broke out in worse
rom Iliad: "The noise of swift heeled
'teeds assaii my ear" In another moment
10 would be taken alive. "ConIe then,
courage, man - he cried and feebIy pushed
he point of dagger into his throat. But
lis nerve was gone and Epaphroditus
anne L" MS help aod pressed 1t home. The
yards burst in and would have seized him.
is this your fidelity ?" be murmured and
xpired, with staring eyes to the terror of
II VINO beheld him. 1t was his last pose,
nd, as tne end of such life, it could not
ave been outdone. "Is this your tidelityR" I
He had never made a better comic hit,"
rites NJ. Renan. "Nero uttering o me- /
anchOly plaint over the wickedness of the ,
ge and the disappearance of good faith and
1TtUe IJet 7 na ba HCpm 10 |
nded and the curtain falls. Once in history.
Nature, with thousand masks, thou G
ast had the wit to find an actor worthy of
lct q role" >