Chapter XVI
AT last the emperor started for Capri. A gorgeous litter, supported by six stalwart Syrians, bore him to the Porta Capena, where carriages awaited him and his party. Besides the servants, there were with Tiberius the Senator Nerva, the Knight Atticus, Sejanus, Caligula, the little Tiberius, and a few Greek comedians. To the Senate the emperor had explained that his departure was occasioned by the need of his presence at the dedication of temples in Campania. The news of the emperor’s departure spread through the city like the announcement of a great victory of the legions. Crowds had, therefore, collected along the roads that led to the Porta Capena. At the parting signal from the trumpets of the accompanying Praetorian guards, there arose from the people a cry of joy that penetrated the bosom of Tiberius like a sharp poniard.
After a journey of four hours, Aricia was reached,—a small village, embraced by the pine woods of the Alban Hills. Here Tiberius owned a villa that had once belonged to Clodius, thebitter enemy of Cicero. From the beautiful flowered terraces of this villa the whole sweep of the Roman Campagna spread out like a vast rug, woven by the deft fingers of some divinity. At sundown Tiberius and Sejanus stood on one of these terraces looking at the glorious panorama. Turning to the minister, the emperor said, “Tell me, O Sejanus, can there be in the whole empire a view to compare with this?”
“How small Rome appears! Seems it possible that in that speck there can be so much dissension?”
“Ah, farewell to Rome and its deceptions! Didst thou hear the cry of joy from the people when we left the city? Bah! Let them hate me, O Sejanus, so long as they fear me.”
As the ride from Aricia to Terracina would require ten hours, the party must needs leave the Alban Hills before the break of dawn on the following morning. The emperor’s ill-humor and bitterness had increased. Because his groom had awkwardly fastened the emperor’s sandal, Tiberius struck him and felled him to the floor. The servant who had brought his morning meal was sentenced to be deprived of food for three days, because the meal was served cold. When they changed horses at the miserable town of Forum Appii, on the edge of the Pontine Marshes, the displeasure of Tiberius had so increased that heordered his followers not to speak without his permission. In consequence, the flippant talk of the Greeks was hushed, Nerva and Atticus remained silent, and the princes, Tiberius and Caligula, spoke to each other only in whispers. But on the heights of the beautiful town of Terracina, in a comfortable villa fanned by sea-breezes, Tiberius regained his customary composure. He remained there a day to conduct necessary business. After state affairs had been attended to, letters received and answered, and the terrible order forwarded for the instant death of Sabinus, the party revelled in the mellow wine of that luxuriant country. The lad Caligula was plied with wine until he became intoxicated, so that by his delirious antics he might add to their amusement.
On the following day they went to Formiae. They stopped for their midday meal at a villa near the sea. The day being warm, the meal was served in a grotto. Youths dressed as fauns and satyrs passed the different courses, while young maidens in gauzy attire danced before the revellers. Suddenly, when the meal was at its height, a bank of earth at the entrance to the grotto became detached and fell in upon them all. There was great confusion. However, every one escaped serious injury. The emperor, moving too slowly, had his feet caught by the falling earth. Seeingthat all danger had passed, Sejanus quickly threw himself over the emperor, as if to protect him from further harm. At this show of absolute self-sacrifice after all danger was over, Tiberius loaded the minister with praises and expressions of gratitude.
From Formiae the party went to Capua. In this important and luxurious city Tiberius dedicated the temple to Jupiter. From there, with his followers, he went to Nola. In this town, where the death of Augustus had occurred, Tiberius dedicated a temple to his illustrious predecessor. During the journey from Nola to Neapolis the emperor again became sullen and ill-humored. An officer whose duty it was to precede the party neglected to remove a small branch of a tree that projected over the road. This negligence so enraged Tiberius that he commanded the party to halt. Then, ordering the officer to be stripped and beaten, he compelled the party to watch the brutal punishment for this trivial offence. Silenced by fear and by the emperor’s displeasure, the party then quickly moved towards Neapolis.
When they embarked for Capri, the bay of Neapolis was as calm and innocent as a sleeping child. The crystal air seemed alive with light. Sharply outlined against the clear deep-blue sky were the edges of the hills that nearly surroundthat magic circle. The abrupt cliffs of Surrentum, the peaceful slopes around Sabia, the gentle sweep of the land between Vesuvius and Neapolis, and the bold, volcanic islands of Procida and Ischia, were gently kissed by the transparent waters of that glorious bay. Between the promontories of Surrentum and Ischia, Capri, with its profile of a human face, appeared like a huge dark sapphire on the bosom of the sea.
In the bay floated little sprigs of sea-weed, purple fucus, like ravellings from kingly robes, sea-grass and leaves, like waving hair and green roses, watery flowers, as soft as feathery plumes or lashes of dreaming eyes. Under the surface were little sea-horses, swarms of tiny fish that moved among branches of fleshy coral like humming-birds among branches of small blossoming trees. Medusae, living vacuities, trembled and floated like transparent lilies detached from their stems and imbued with life and motion. Ah! the bay of Neapolis appeared like a huge flower-garden, flooded with sparkling dew.
Circling the peaceful garden and crowning the hill-tops and slopes, like an immortal wreath, were the orange and olive groves of Surrentum, the laurels and myrtle of Sabia, the vineyards and fields of Vesuvius—that colossal verdant bell of spring—the pines and cypresses of Neapolis, and the vineyards of Procida, Ischia, and Capri.It seemed as if Nature were intoxicated with beauty. It seemed as if celestial harmonies, borne on the rays of light, touched the ears with an infinite melody.
A gilded bireme, with purple sails and polished bronze trimmings, floated gracefully on the lovely bay, like some enchanted boat sent by the gods to bear spirits to happy havens of peace. Attached to the mast, the emperor’s golden ensign languidly fluttered in the quiet air, like expiring flames on a sacrificial altar to the goddess Flora. Around the bireme were numerous small boats filled with happy people dressed in bright colors. Songs and laughter filled the air. Cheers and acclamations gradually increased in volume as the emperor and his retinue neared the shore. They hastened into the small boats that awaited them, and were soon conducted aboard the bireme. The anchor was quickly raised, the poised oars began to move with regular rhythm, and the boat bounded forward like a living thing. The bow cleaved the smooth water in gentle ripples, and the dripping oars, when raised for the next stroke, showered sparkling drops in the air like tears of joy.
Every one was inspired by the gorgeous sight. The emperor, looking at the retreating shores of Neapolis, pointed out to his companions the different villas that had once belonged to Cicero,Lucullus, and Augustus. Some of the party recited poetry; the Greeks sang extracts from the Odyssey; Nerva quoted the following lines of Virgil:—
“Nor Oebalus, shalt thou unsung from this our story fail,Whom Telon on nymph Sebethis begat, as tells the tale;When Teleboan Capreae he reigned o’er, waxen old;Whose son might not abide to sit within his father’s fold.”
“Nor Oebalus, shalt thou unsung from this our story fail,Whom Telon on nymph Sebethis begat, as tells the tale;When Teleboan Capreae he reigned o’er, waxen old;Whose son might not abide to sit within his father’s fold.”
“Nor Oebalus, shalt thou unsung from this our story fail,
Whom Telon on nymph Sebethis begat, as tells the tale;
When Teleboan Capreae he reigned o’er, waxen old;
Whose son might not abide to sit within his father’s fold.”
Caligula and the lad Tiberius amused themselves by watching the fishermen haul their nets and the little nude boys rock small boats whose edges gathered in water at every roll. Every one seemed happy on this delightful day. It seemed impossible that such tranquillity and beauty could ever be ruffled by storms and tempests.
As the mainland grew more and more indistinct, the villas on the north side of Capri gradually became more sharply defined. From the gray rock, dotted with brush and small trees, gradually came into view the bold marble-columned front of one of the palaces built by Augustus. The bireme took a course to the south of the island, towards the palace where Augustus spent the last days of his life. This palace was more inaccessible than the others. No one could approach it without being seen by the occupants.
When the imperial party had arrived at their destination, small boats conveyed them to the shore. When he entered the palace, Tiberius heaved a sigh, and said to Sejanus, “Thanks be to the gods! We have at last arrived! Now I am safe from the intrigues of Rome! Ah, Sejanus, we should have sooner begun the Villa Jovis. In one month I shall be higher up the cliffs, where only the winds can reach me.”
“Didst thou say that the Divine Augustus lived in this palace shortly before he died at Nola?”
“Ay, within these very walls, weak as he was, he composed Greek verses. Come with me!” he exclaimed, as he led Sejanus from the palace. They slowly walked to the edge of the cliff. “Yonder,” said Tiberius, “on the largest of these islands that stand like sentinels guarding the approach to the landing, the poet Masgabus is buried, and— By the infernal Deities, what is that object moving towards us?” he cried in a tone of fear.
“It has the appearance of a huge sea-monster,” said Sejanus.
Slowly creeping up the cliffs was a strange object that had an uncanny look. Tiberius, affrighted, called a soldier to his side. As the singular object approached, it was seen to be theform of a man carrying a basket of fish. The fisherman was one-eyed. His bronzed head was bald; his unshaven face wrinkled and weather-beaten. His toothless mouth was sunken. His whole body was deformed by overwork. He deposited his basket upon the rocks and, moved by a feeling of loyal generosity, took from it the largest fish, which he awkwardly presented to the emperor.
Enraged that any one dared climb those slippery and dangerous rocks, Tiberius ordered the soldier to rub the fisherman’s face with the gift he had just presented. “Is there a spot on the island,” exclaimed the emperor, “where these things cannot approach?”
“Thou treatest the man too kindly, O Tiberius,” said Sejanus.
The fisherman smiled at such treatment, and said to the soldier in his crude Latin dialect, “I am glad that I did not give him the crawfish I carried with me.”
“What didst thou say?” growled the emperor.
“Nothing,” stammered the frightened fisherman.
“For his insolence, take the crawfish and lacerate his ugly face,” ordered Tiberius.
The cries of the poor fisherman were pitiable, as his face was rudely torn by the claws of the crawfish.
“Ah! henceforth the fishermen will avoid my presence,” added Tiberius, with an ugly leer.
The next day Sejanus departed for Rome. He carried with him a signed parchment, delegating to him the imperial authority concerning all the minor details of government.