The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-11-19
THE LAST MOMENTS OF NERO,

THE LAST MOMENTS OF NERO.
When Nero learned that he had a master in
Galba, he upset the table at which he was seated
feasting, dashed to pieces his two most favorite
crystal glasses, called for box of poison. which
he was afraid to use, and then rushed into the
Servilian garden to think upon what he should
do next. There, or within his sleeping room he
passed most miserable night; and when, at
day break, he found that his guards had not only
deserted him, but had carried off the little gold
box containing the poison, and even the very
covering of his bed, he ran headlong down to
the Tiber, where he stopped short on the bank,
and slowly walked back again. 1t was then, bare
footed and half-dressed as he was, that he was
encountered by the faithful Phaon, who flung
cloak over his shoulders, tied an old handker-
chief about his head, hoisted the wretch upon
horse, and rode away towards country house
four miles Off In danger of discovery the fugi-
tive party abandoned their horses, scrambled
through thickets. brakes, by paths and brambles,
and at length reached the neighborhood of the
desired asylum. The tender feet of the Emperor
were mangled and bloody, despite the care which
had been shown by hi. friend to spread his cloak
on the ground for the ex-Emperor to tread upon.
Phaon asked him to conceal himself for while
in a gravel pit; but Nero declared that it looked
too much like grave and he was determined
not to be buried alive He sat down under q wall
picked the burrs and brambles from his dress,
drank from the hollow of his hand few drops
of water and sighed over the thought of the
draughts he used to imbibe of boiled water made
cold again in snow. He was at length got into
the house, where he turned away in disgust from
the piece of brown bread which was offered him
his last banquet; drank again little lukewarm
water, flung himself on old flock bed and cursed
his destiny. They who surrounded him urged
him to behave like Roman, to make an end
quickly; and thereupon he had a grave made
before him to his exact measure. He ordered
sundry preparations to be made for his funeral,
commanded water for the washing of his body,
wood for the pile, expressed a hope that they
who survived him would allow his head to re-
main on his body, and he then burst into an
agony of tears at the thought as he said, of what
clever fellow the world was about to lose.
squalls artifer pereo!" was his exclamation. 1t
was not his only one. He cited lines from
various Greek and Latin authors as applicable
to his situation; and when reproached for daily
ing so long before he put himself to death, very
appositely inquired if any one present was will
ing to show him the way by setting him the
example. He then made few more pedantic
quotations, and finally, with trembling hands,
put the dagger to his throat. He would have
held it there long enough had it not been for
Epaphroditis, who grasped his hands and forced
it into his throat. The terror of the ex-monarch
was fixed ON his features after death. But even
he had friends; five thousand crowns were ex-
pended on his funeral-pile on which his body
was laid in a splendid silk covering; a couple of
his old nurses collected his ashes, and an impe-
rial congress accompanied them in the pious task
of solemnly depositing the body in the tomb of
the Domiti. For years after loving hands hung
garlands on his tomb! and surely Nero could not
have won this tribute of sympathy, spontaneously
made, had he not some touch of virtue in him.
which saved him from ranking beneath humanity