The
place was forsaken even by those household gods of rich and poor, its
domestic animals. They had either followed their owners into the city,
or strayed, unhindered and unwatched, into the country beyond. Mansion,
bath, and circus, displayed their gaudy pomp and luxurious comfort in
vain; not even a wandering Goth was to be seen near their empty halls.
For, with such a prospect before them as the subjugation of Rome, the
army had caught the infection of its leader's enthusiasm for his exalted
task, and willingly obeyed his commands for suspending the pillage of
the suburbs, disdaining the comparatively worthless treasures around
them, attainable at any time, when they felt that the rich coffers of
Rome herself were now fast opening to their eager hands. Voiceless and
noiseless, unpeopled and unravaged, lay the far-famed suburbs of the
greatest city of the universe, sunk alike in the night of Nature, the
night of Fortune, and the night of Glory!
Saddening and impressive as was the prospect thus presented to the eyes
of the young Goth, it failed to weaken the powerful influence that his
evening's meditations yet held over his mind.
Pages:
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424