In vain would Phanor have insisted. “Let us argue no longer,” interrupted Lausus; “you can say nothing to me that can equal the shame of surviving my friend, after I have destroyed him. Your pressing earnestness makes me blush, and your prayers are an affront. I will answer for my own safety if you will fly. I swear to die if you will stay and perish. Choose: the moments now are precious.”
Phanor knew his friend too well to pretend to shake his resolution. “I consent,” said he, “to let you try the only means of safety that is left us; but live if you would have me live: your scaffold shall be mine.” “I readily believe it,” said Lausus, “and your friend esteems you too much to desire you to survive him.” At these words they embraced, and Phanor went out of the dungeon in the habit of the slave, which Lausus had just thrown off.
What a night! What a dreadful night for Lydia! Alas, how shall we paint the emotions that arose in her soul, that divided, tore it between love and virtue? She adored Lausus, she detested Mezentius, she was sacrificing herself to her father`s interests, delivering herself up to the object of her hatred, tearing herself forever from an adored lover. They led her to the altar as it were to punishment.
Barbarous Mezentius
Barbarous Mezentius! Thou art content to reign over the heart by violence and fear! It suffices thee that thy consort trembles before thee as a slaye before his master. Such is love in the heart of a tyrant. Yet, alas! it is for him alone that she is hereafter to live: it is to him that she is going to be united. If she resists, she must betray her lover and her father: a refusal would discover the secret of her soul, and if Lausus were suspected to be dear to her, he were undone.
It was in this cruel agitation that Lydia awaited the day. The terrible day arrived. Lydia, dismayed and trembling, saw herself decked out not as a bride to be presented at the altar of Love and Hymen, but as one of those innocent victims that a barbarous piety crowned with flowers before it sacrificed them.
They led her to the place where the spectacle was to be exhibited; the people assembled there in multitudes, and the sports began. I shall not stop to describe the engagements at the cestus, at wrestling, at the sword: a more dreadful object engages our attention.
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