They had observed the sinister and sarcastic expression of Vetranio's
eye as he spoke of his concealed guest; they knew that the hunchback
Reburrus possessed, among his other powers of buffoonery, the art of
ventriloquism; and they suspected the presence of some hideous or
grotesque image of a heathen god or demon in the hidden recess, which
the jugglery of the parasite was to gift with the capacity of speech.
Blasphemous comments upon life, death, and immortality were eagerly
awaited. The general impatience for the withdrawal of the curtain was
perceived by Vetranio, who, waving his hand for silence, authoritatively
exclaimed--
'The hour has not yet arrived. More draughts must be drunk, more
libations poured out, ere the mystery of the curtain is revealed! Ho,
Glyco!' he continued, turning towards the singing-boy, who had silently
entered the room, 'the moment is yours! Tune your lyre, and recite my
last ode, which I have addressed to you! Let the charms of Poetry
preside over the feast of Death!'
The boy advanced, trembling; his once ruddy face was colourless and
haggard; his eyes were fixed with a look of rigid terror on the black
curtain; his features palpably expressed the presence within him of some
secret and overwhelming recollection which had crushed all his other
faculties and perceptions.
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