the theatre
where I was sitting, Probus was led forth and conducted to the centre of
the arena, where was a short pillar to which it was customary to bind
the sufferers. Probus, as he entered, seemed rather like one who came to
witness what was there than to be himself the victim, so free was his
step, so erect his form. In his face there might indeed be seen an
expression, that could only dwell on the countenance of one whose spirit
was already gone beyond the earth, and holding converse with things
unseen. There is always much of this in the serene, uplifted face of
this remarkable man; but it was now there written in lines so bold and
deep, that there could have been few in that vast assembly but must have
been impressed by it, as never before by aught human. It must have been
this, which brought so deep a silence upon that great multitude--not the
mere fact that an individual was about to be torn by lions--that is an
almost daily pastime. For it was so, that when he first made his
appearance, and as he moved toward the centre, turned and looked round
upon the crowded seats rising to the heavens, the people neither moved
nor spoke, but kept their eyes fastened upon him as by some spell which
they could not break.

When he had reached the pillar, and he who had conducted him was about
to bind him to it, it was plain, by what at that distance we could
observe, that Probus was entreating him to desist and leave him at
liberty; in which he at length succeeded, for that person returned,
leaving him alone and unbound. O sight of misery!--he who for the
humblest there present would have performed any office of love, by which
the least good should redound to them, left alone and defenceless, they
looking on and scarcely pitying his cruel fate!

When now he had stood there not many minutes, one of the doors of the
vivaria was suddenly thrown back, and bounding forth with a roar, that
seemed to shake the walls of the theatre, a lion of huge dimensions
leaped upon the arena. Majesty and power were inscribed upon his lordly
limbs; and as he stood there where he had first sprung, and looked round
upon the multitude, how did his gentle eye and noble carriage, with
which no one for a moment could associate meanness, or cruelty, or
revenge, cast shame upon the human monsters assembled to behold a
solitary, unarmed man torn limb from limb! When he had in this way
looked upon that cloud of faces, he then turned and moved round the