Fetched from the neighbouring cloister to receive her lover, she had thrown herself, without a scream, without even a sigh, upon the broad shield with its solemn burthen, which Adalgoth and Aligern were carrying through the gate with sad and slow steps. Before any one could speak, she had cried: "I know all--he is dead!" She had assisted them to lay the corpse in the sarcophagus, and while so occupied she had repeated to herself, in a low voice, these words: "'Him too thou seest, how stalwart, tall, and fair! Yet must he yield to death and stubborn fate, Whene'er, at morn or noon or eve, the spear Or arrow from the bow may rend his life. Then may I, too, visit th' eternal shades!" Then, without haste, quietly and slowly, she drew a dagger from her girdle, and with the words, "Here, stern Christian God, take my soul! thus I fulfil the vow!" the Roman maiden thrust the sharp steel into her bosom. Cassiodorus, a little cross of cedar in his hand, went, deeply moved--the tears trickled down his venerable white beard--from corpse to corpse, repeating the prayers of the Church. And the pious women of the cloister, who had accompanied Valeria, began the simple and noble chant: "Vis ac splendor seculorum, Belli laus et flos amorum Labefacta mox marcescunt; Dei laus et gratia sine Ævi termino vel fine In eternum perflorescunt." Gradually the grove had become filled with warriors, who had followed their leaders. Among them were Earls Wisand and Markja. Teja heard the report of the weeping Adalgoth in silence. Then he went close to the King's corpse. Without a tear, he laid his mailed right hand upon the King's wounded breast, bent over him, and whispered: "I will complete the work." Then he went back and took his place under a mighty tree, which rose above a forgotten grave-mound, and spoke to the little group of soldiers who stood silently and reverently round the dead. "Gothic men! the battle is lost, and the kingdom likewise. Whoever will now go to Narses, whoever will subject himself to the Emperor, I will not keep him back. But I am resolved to fight to the end; not for victory, but to die the free death of a hero. Whoever wishes to share this fate with me, may remain. You all wish it? 'Tis well." Hildebrand interposed. "The King has fallen. The Goths cannot--even to die--fight without a King. Athalaric, Witichis, Totila--_one_ only can be the fourth; only one is worthy to succeed these three; thou, Teja, our last, our greatest hero!" "Yes," said Teja; "I will be your King. Under me you shall not live joyfully; you shall only die greatly. Be still! No cry of joy, no clang of arms must greet me. Whoever will have me for his King, let him do as I do." And he broke a small branch from the tree under which he stood, and twisted it round his helmet. All silently followed his example.