"
The words were coarse, but Miriam, looking at the woman, knew her for
one of the Christian community with whom she had worshipped in the
catacombs. So she took the cup, fearing nothing, and drank it off. Then
new strength came to her, and she went forward with the others on that
toilsome, endless march.
At length, however, it did end, an hour or so before sunset. They had
passed miles of streets; they had trodden the Sacred Way bordered by
fanes innumerable and adorned with statues set on columns; and now
marched up the steep slope that was crowned by the glorious temple of
Jupiter Capitolinus. As they began to climb it guards broke into their
lines, and seizing the chain that hung about the neck of Simon, dragged
him away.
"Whither do they take you?" asked Miriam as he passed her.
"To what I desire--death," he answered, and was gone.
Now the Caesars, dismounting from their chariots, took up their stations
by altars at the head of the steps, while beneath them, rank upon rank,
gathered all those who had shared their Triumph, each company in its
allotted place. Then followed a long pause, the multitude waiting for
Miriam knew not what. Presently men were seen running from the Forum up
a path that had been left open, one of them carrying in his hand some
object wrapped in a napkin.
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