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450 DARKNESS AND DAWN
'
What ails the gay actor ? '
more about these Christians ?
'
asked Nero.
f
Is it
something
It is,'
said the actor. Spare them, Emperor. Spare
'
'
them, I entreat you. I have ascertained that they are
perfectly innocent. Caesar has no more virtuous subjects."
'
'
'
Virtue ? said Nero. It is three-fourths humbug, and
the other fourth hypocrisy. Give me pleasure ; give me art.
These fanatics would quench all joy in the world. They
would kill Venus and starve Bacchus. I hate them.'
'
Would Caesar slay the innocent ?
'
'
Innocent ?
They are anything but innocent. They are
conspirators, and sorcerers, and murderers, and haters of
mankind.'
'
Oh, Caesar,' exclaimed the actor, in despair. I, too,
'
believed this ;
but these are only the lies of the multitude.'
'
At any rate, they are gloomy and pestilent fanatics.
Why should Aliturus care for the wretches who worship a
man whom Pilatus crucified ? What is their execrable superstition
to Rome's favourite pantomime ? I am to be king
of the East, and these Galileans set up another king, whom
they call Christus. It is flat sedition ! Besides, how am I to
appease the populace, if I do not find them some victims '
?
'
You may yet find the true criminals, Caesar ;
it
may be
that they are nearer your own person than these poor
Christians.'
'
Don't let Tigellinus hear you say that, or you may yet
know what the tunica molesta is like, and may leave a trail
of burning pitch on the sand of the amphitheatre Come,
!
Aliturus, this is tedious. Enough of it. I prefer your
dancing.'
At this moment Poppsea entered, and the young man
withdrew. As he passed down the corridor the slaves were
surprised to see the bright darling of the populace wringing
'
'
his hands and muttering Too late ! too late !
On one point he was determined. No word, no sign of
his should do any further injury to the Christians. He
would not reveal their meeting-place, nor help their
enemies.
Alas ! his aid was no longer needed. We can abstain
from evil deeds, but when we have done them their con-