At length one of their number raised his downcast eyes and broke the
silence. The old Roman spirit, which long years of voluntary frivolity
and degradation had not yet entirely depraved, flushed his pale, wasted
face as he spoke thus:--
'We have entreated, we have offered, we have promised--men can do no
more! Deserted by our Emperor and crushed by pestilence and famine,
nothing is now left to us but to perish in unavailing resistance beneath
the walls of Rome! It was in the power of Alaric to win everlasting
renown by moderation to the unfortunate of an illustrious nation; but he
has preferred to attempt the spoiling of a glorious city and the
subjugation of a suffering people! Yet let him remember, though
destruction may sate his vengeance, and pillage enrich his hoards, the
day of retribution will yet come. There are still soldiers in the
empire, and heroes who will lead them confidently to battle, though the
bodies of their countrymen lie slaughtered around them in the streets of
pillaged Rome!'
A momentary expression of wrath and indignation appeared on Alaric's
features as he listened to this bold speech; but it was almost
immediately replaced by a scornful smile of derision.
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