Accordingly, he
resumed the seat from which he had risen during the interview, and
calmly desired his new ally to explain the condition, on the granting of
which depended the promised betrayal of the city of Rome.
The pain-worn and despondent features of Ulpius became animated by a
glow of triumph as he heard the sudden mildness and moderation of the
king's demand; he raised his head proudly, and advanced a few steps, as
he thus loudly and abruptly resumed:--
'Assure to me the overthrow of the Christian churches, the extermination
of the Christian priests, and the universal revival of the worship of
the gods, and this night shall make you master of the chief city of the
empire you are labouring to subvert!'
The boldness, the comprehensiveness, the insanity of wickedness
displayed in such a proposition, and emanating from such a source, so
astounded the mind of Alaric, as to deprive him for the moment of
speech. The stranger, perceiving his temporary inability to answer him,
broke the silence which ensued and continued--
'Is my condition a hard one? A conqueror is all-powerful; he can
overthrow the worship, as he can overthrow the government of a nation.
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