en may I, too, visit th' eternal shades!"

Then, without haste, quietly and slowly, she drew a dagger from her
girdle, and with the words, "Here, stern Christian God, take my soul!
thus I fulfil the vow!" the Roman maiden thrust the sharp steel into
her bosom.

Cassiodorus, a little cross of cedar in his hand, went, deeply
moved--the tears trickled down his venerable white beard--from corpse
to corpse, repeating the prayers of the Church.

And the pious women of the cloister, who had accompanied Valeria, began
the simple and noble chant:

"Vis ac splendor seculorum,
Belli laus et flos amorum
Labefacta mox marcescunt;
Dei laus et gratia sine
AEvi termino vel fine
In eternum perflorescunt."

Gradually the grove had become filled with warriors, who had followed
their leaders. Among them were Earls Wisand and Markja.

Teja heard the report of the weeping Adalgoth in silence. Then he went
close to the King's corpse. Without a tear, he laid his mailed right
hand upon the King's wounded breast, bent over him, and whispered:

"I will complete the work."

Then he went back and took his place under a mighty tree, which rose
above a forgotten grave-mound, and spoke to the little group of
soldiers who stood silently and reverently round the dead.

"Gothic men! the battle is lost, and the kingdom likewise. Whoever will
now go to Narses, whoever will subject himself to the Emperor, I will
not keep him back. But I am resolved to fight to the end; not for
victory, but to die the free death of a hero. Whoever wishes to share
this fate with me, may remain. You all wish it? 'Tis well."

Hildebrand interposed.

"The King has fallen. The Goths cannot--even to die--fight without a
King. Athalaric, Witichis, Totila--_one_ only can be the fourth; only
one is worthy to succeed these three; thou, Teja, our last, our
greatest hero!"

"Yes," said Teja; "I will be your King. Under me you shall not live
joyfully; you shall only die greatly. Be still! No cry of joy, no clang
of arms must greet me. Whoever will have me for his King, let him do as
I do."

And he broke a small branch from the tree under which he stood, and
twisted it round his helmet. All silently followed his example.

Adalgoth, who stood next him, whispered:

"O King Teja! it is a cypress bough! Thus is crowned a victim doomed to
sacrifice!"

"Yes, my A