Saul of Tarsus: A Tale of the Early Christians — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Saul of Tarsus: A Tale of the Early Christians
John Stuart Mill · en
"Do thou fetch my civilian's dress, Silas, to the gate of the Praetorium
to-morrow, early, and my umber toga broidered with silver. And thou,
Eutychus, prepare our belongings so thou canst carry them and bring
them also that we may proceed at once to En-Gadi. I remain at the
Praetorium to-night. Be gone and fail not!"
The two men bowed and disappeared.
When the party reentered the gates of the camp, Herod's vestibule was
dark. The prisoner and Agrippa were led to the barracks and turned
into a cubiculum, or sleeping-chamber. One of the four was manacled to
Marsyas and the bolts shot upon them.
The soldier immediately stretched himself on the straw and, bidding the
others hold their peace, fell asleep promptly.
After a long time, when the sounds from the pallet assured Agrippa that
the soldier could not be easily aroused, he arose and came over to the
side of the young Essene.
The torch-light for the officer of the guard, flaring on the wall
without, shone through the high ventilation niche in the cell and cast
a faint illumination over the dusky interior. Under the half-light the
face of Marsyas looked fallen and lifeless,--his dark hair in disorder
on his forehead, his shadowed eyes and slight black beard making for
the increase of pallor by contrast. Agrippa looked at him a moment
before the young man had noticed his approach.
"The medicine for thy hurts, young brother," he said to himself, "is
only one--the comforting arms of a woman. I have had experience; I
know! But if thou art an Essene that comfort is denied thee. Now, I
wonder what demon-ridden Jew it was who first thought of an order of
celibates!"
He drew closer and the somber eyes of the young man lighted upon him.
"So thou dost not sleep," Agrippa said in Hebrew. Marsyas' face showed
a little surprise at the choice of tongue, but he answered in the same
language.
"Why am I here?" he asked.
"Better here than there," Agrippa responded under his breath,
indicating the direction of Jonathan's stronghold.
"Listen," he continued, "and may Morpheus plug this soldier's ears if
he knows our fathers' ancient tongue. Canst see my face, brother?"
Marsyas signed his assent.
"Thou sayest thou art a Galilean," Agrippa pursued. "Look now and see
if thou discoverest aught familiar in me."
Marsyas raised himself on an elbow and gazed into the Herod's face.
Finally he said slowly:
"I have seen thee in Tiberias--in power--as--as prefect! Thou art
Herod Agrippa!"
There was silence; the Essene's eyes filled with question and the Herod
gave him time to think.
"I had thee arrested," Agrippa resumed when he believed that Marsyas'
ideas had reached the point of asking what the Herod had to do with
him. "To-morrow thou wilt be fined for striking me and turned
loose--to Jonathan--unless thou art helped to escape."
"I understand," said Marsyas with growing light, but without enthusiasm.
"Thou seest I am virtually a prisoner here. I became so, to save thee
from Jonathan."