hrough his inborn cowardice.

So he gazed around to see if, among the Augustans at
least, he could not find fingers turned down in sign of death.
But Petronius held up his hand, and looked almost challengingly
into Nero's face. Vestinius, superstitious but 30
inclined to enthusiasm, a man who feared ghosts but not
the living, gave a sign for mercy also.

Then Nero turned to the place where command over the
pretorians was held by the stern Subrius Flavius, hitherto
devoted with whole soul to him, and saw something unusual.
The face of the old tribune was stern, but covered with
tears, and he was holding his hand up in sign of mercy. 5

Now rage began to possess the multitude. Dust rose
from beneath the stamping feet, and filled the amphitheater.
In the midst of shouts were heard cries: "Ahenobarbus!
Matricide! Incendiary!"

Nero was alarmed. The people were absolute lords in the 10
Circus. He wanted their favor on his side against the
senate and the patricians, and especially after the burning
of Rome he strove by all means to win it, and turn their
anger against the Christians. He understood, besides,
that to oppose longer was simply dangerous. A disturbance 15
begun in the Circus might seize the whole city, and have
results incalculable. And seeing everywhere frowning brows,
moved faces, and eyes fixed on him, he gave the sign for
mercy.

--_Quo Vadis._

1. At about what time is this story laid? Where?
Compare its setting with that of "The Lists at
Ashby," page 363.

2. Who are the chief characters? What was the
general situation with respect to the Christians?

3. Did Ursus know what he was to confront when he
entered the arena? Why did he expect to be
crucified?

4. Relate what took place in the arena.

5. Explain: podium, Hercules, colossus, superhuman,
barbarian; line 13, page 407; lines 8-9, page 412.

6. Sienkiewicz (sh[)e]n-ky[=a]'v[vi]ch) is a famous
Polish novelist (1846-1916). His best known novel
is _Quo Vadis_ ("Whither goest thou?").

(From Jeremiah Curtin's translation of _Quo Vadis_,
copyrighted by Little, Brown & Company.)

POLONIUS'S ADVICE TO HIS SON

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE