"
"Yes," said Titus in a quiet voice, though his face flushed, "that,
Domitian, is what I have thought it good to do. In such a matter is not
my will enough?"
"Conqueror of the East," replied Domitian, "Thrower-down of the mountain
stronghold called Jerusalem, to which the topless towers of Ilium were
as nothing, and Exterminator of a large number of misguided fanatics,
in what matter is not your will enough? Yet a boon, O Caesar. As you are
great, be generous," and with a mocking gesture he bowed the knee to
Titus.
"What boon do you seek of me, brother, who know that all I have is, or,"
he added slowly, "will be--yours?"
"One that is already granted by your precious words, Titus. Of all you
have, which is much, I seek only this Pearl-Maiden, who has taken my
fancy. The girl only, not her property in Tyre, wherever that may be,
which you can keep for yourself."
Vespasian looked up, but before he could speak, Titus answered quickly:
"I said, Domitian, 'all I have.' This maid I have not, therefore the
words do not apply. I have decreed that the proceeds of the sale of
these captives is to be divided equally between the wounded soldiers and
the poor of Rome. Therefore she is their property, not mine.
Pages:
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410