the name of some Grecian
deity, thou didst fear thou wert incurring penalties worse than those of
Tantalus, an eternity of tortures more terrible than those of the
Tartarian fields? Didst thou not tell me this? I wondered, I could not
comprehend; nor, by Hercules! can I now: but I was thy son, and my sole
task was to compassionate and relieve. Could I hear thy groans, could I
witness thy mysterious horrors, thy constant anguish, and remain
inactive? No! by the immortal gods! the thought struck me like light
from Olympus! I had no money, but I had strength and youth--these were
thy gifts--I could sell these in my turn for thee! I learned the amount
of thy ransom--I learned that the usual prize of a victorious gladiator
would doubly pay it. I became a gladiator--I linked myself with those
accursed men, scorning, loathing, while I joined--I acquired their
skill--blessed be the lesson!--it shall teach me to free my father!'

'Oh, that thou couldst hear Olinthus!' sighed the old man, more and more
affected by the virtue of his son, but not less strongly convinced of
the criminality of his purpose.

'I will hear the whole world talk if thou wilt,' answered the gladiator,
gaily; 'but not till thou art a slave no more. Beneath thy own roof, my
father, thou shalt puzzle this dull brain all day long, ay, and all
night too, if it give thee pleasure. Oh, such a spot as I have chalked
out for thee!--it is one of the nine hundred and ninety-nine shops of
old Julia Felix, in the sunny part of the city, where thou mayst bask
before the door in the day--and I will sell the oil and the wine for
thee, my father--and then, please Venus (or if it does not please her,
since thou lovest not her name, it is all one to Lydon)--then, I say,
perhaps thou mayst have a daughter, too, to tend thy grey hairs, and
hear shrill voices at thy knee, that shall call thee "Lydon's father!"
Ah! we shall be so happy--the prize can purchase all. Cheer thee! cheer
up, my sire!--And now I must away--day wears--the lanista waits me.
Come! thy blessing!'

As Lydon thus spoke, he had already quitted the dark chamber of his
father; and speaking eagerly, though in a whispered tone, they now stood
at the same place in which we introduced the porter at his post.

'O bless thee! bless thee, my brave boy!' said Medon, fervently; 'and
may the great Power that reads all hearts see the nobleness of thine,
and forgive its error!'

The tall shape of the gladiato