Now Eucleides and the boys had returned home. After dinner Cornelius and Marcus and Sextus were sitting in the atrium.
“What have you seen today boys?” asks Cornelius.
“Nothing except ancient buildings.” Marcus has responded. “We wish we went into the city alone. Why is that not allowed?”
To which Cornelius responds, “It is dangerous to go out into the roads of this city without a guard.There are many wicked men who steal citizens' possessions. Sometimes these men kill citizens themselves. Therefore it is not allowed for you to go out without a guard. Already it is late. Now it is necessary for you to go to bed. Do not delay but go immediately!”
The boys, tired from the work of the day, as soon as they have gone to bed, have gone to sleep.
Early in the day on the following day Marcus was lying on his own bed and was thinking this about the Circus Maximus: “When will we visit the Circus Maximus? Why does my father forbid us to go out? Yesterday I saw no wicked men in the city. Certainly during the day robbers will not do harm to us. Robbers fear my father, because he is a Roman senator. There is no danger.”
In a short time, as it seemed to Marcus, the boys were going towards the Circus. Soon Marcus has caught sight of the huge mass of the Circus Maximus. Soon Marcus has caught sight of the huge mass of the Circus Maximus.
“It is the Circus. When we will have entered, at last we will watch the charioteers themselves.”
Suddenly however three men have hurled themselves onto the street. “Watch out for those men!” Sextus has shouted. “Those men will certainly drag us into the neighboring homes, and there they will kill us.”
But in vain, Marcus moved by fear after he heard Sextus shouting, has fallen to the ground and was lying motionless in the mud.
“Hey!” One of the robbers has shouted. “Where are you going away, little one? What is your name? Surely you are the son of a senator? Surely your name is Marcus Cornelius?”
To which Marcus says, “What do you want wicked men? I have no money. Do not beat me. If you harm me, my father will certainly punish you.”
But the robber interrupts, “be quiet boy! You are our captive and you will not return to your father. Now no one will be able to save you. For I will kill you myself.”
At that moment the robber has drawn his sword. Sextus was standing and terrified he yelled, “Bring help!” He shouted. “Bring Help!” But no one has heard the shouting. No one has brought help. Marcus has shut his eyes and was waiting for death.
Nothing happens. He has opened his eyes. He was in his own bed. It had only been a dream. Today However Marcus has decided to remain at home. He has not wished to go out.
No comments:
Post a Comment