But it was no time now to
remonstrate or to delay; and they answered with one accord, ignorant
though they were of the means of performing their promise, 'The ransom
shall be paid.'
The king looked at them when they spoke, as if in astonishment that men
whom he had deprived of all freedom of choice ventured still to assert
it by intimating their acceptance of terms which they dared not decline.
The mocking spirit revived within him while he thus gazed on the
helpless and humiliated embassy; and he laughed once more as he resumed,
partly addressing himself to the silent array of the warriors behind
him--
'The gold and silver are but the first dues of the tribute; my army
shall be rewarded with more than the wealth of the enemy. You men of
Rome have laughed at our rough bearskins and our heavy armour, you shall
clothe us with your robes of festivity! I will add to the gold and
silver of your ransom, four thousand garments of silk, and three
thousand pieces of scarlet cloth. My barbarians shall be barbarians no
longer! I will make patricians, epicures, Romans of them!'
The members of the ill-fated embassy looked up as he paused, in mute
appeal to the mercy of the triumphant conqueror; but they were not yet
to be released from the crushing infliction of his rapacity and scorn.
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