Now I knew well that you would never disgrace your ancient house, or
your own noble name, or the Eagles which you serve, by falling alive
into the hands of the enemy. Therefore, I was sure that you were dead."
Marcus laughed bitterly, then turning to Nehushta, said:
"You hear, woman, you hear. If such is the judgment of my steward and
freedman, what will be that of Caesar and my peers?" Then he added, "Now,
Stephanus, that what you thought impossible--what I myself should have
thought impossible--has happened. I was taken prisoner by the Jews,
though through no fault of mine."
"Oh! if so," said the old steward, "hide it, my lord, hide it. Why, two
such unhappy men who had surrendered to save their lives and were found
in some Jewish dungeon, have been condemned to walk in the Triumph this
day. Their hands are to be tied behind them; in place of their swords
they must wear a distaff, and on their breasts a placard with the words
written: 'I am a Roman who preferred dishonour to death.' You would not
wish their company, my lord."
The face of Marcus went first red, then white.
"Man," he said, "cease your ill-omened talk, lest I should fall upon
my sword here before your eyes. Bid the slaves make ready the bath and
food, for we need both.
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