n
to the sky. It would appear, however, that Agrippa did see something,
for he who had risen to declare the games open, suddenly sank back upon
his throne, and remained thus lost in thought. Then Anna limped forward
to join her company, who once more were driven through the little gate
in the wall of the arena.

For a second time, with an effort, Agrippa lifted himself from his
throne. As he rose the first level rays of sunrise struck full upon him.
He was a tall and noble-looking man, and his dress was glorious. To
the thousands who gazed upon him from the shadow, set in that point of
burning light he seemed to be clothed in a garment of glittering silver.
Silver was his crown, silver his vest, silver the wide robe that flowed
from his shoulders to the ground.

"In the name of Caesar, to the glory of Caesar, I declare these games
open!" he cried.

Then, as though moved by a sudden impulse, all the multitude rose
shouting: "The voice of a god! The voice of a god! The voice of the god
Agrippa!"

Nor did Agrippa say them nay; the glory of such worship thundered at
him from twenty thousand throats made him drunken. There for a while he
stood, the new-born sunlight playing upon his splendid form, while the
multitude roared his name, proclaiming it divine. His nostrils spread to
inhale this incense of adoration, his eyes flashed and slowly he waved
his arms, as though in benediction of his worshippers. Perchance there
rose before his mind a vision of the wondrous event whereby he, the
scorned and penniless outcast, had been lifted to this giddy pinnacle
of power. Perchance for a moment he believed that he was indeed divine,
that nothing less than the blood and right of godhead could thus have
exalted him. At least he stood there, denying naught, while the people
adored him as Jehovah is adored of the Jews and Christ is adored of the
Christians.

Then of a sudden smote the Angel of the Lord. Of a sudden intolerable
pain seized upon his vitals, and Herod remembered that he was but mortal
flesh, and knew that death was near.

"Alas!" he cried, "I am no god, but a man, and even now the common fate
of man is on me."

As he spoke a great white owl slid from the roof of the canopy above him
and vanished through the unroofed centre of the cavea.

"Look! look! my people!" he cried again, "the spirit that brought me
good fortune leaves me now, and I die, my people, I die!" Then, sinking
upon his throne, he who a moment gone