Serapis — Volume 02 by Georg Ebers
page 56 of 70 (80%)
page 56 of 70 (80%)
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all those who feel with us--nay, in the name of the gods themselves whom
I serve! The first thing to be done now is to avert the blow which the Bishop intends shall strike us by the hand of Cynegius--it has already fallen on the magnificent sanctuary of the Apamaean Zeus. If the ambassador retires without having gained his purpose the balance will be greatly--enormously, in our favor, and it will cease to be a folly to believe in the success of our cause." "Ah! teach us to hope once more," cried the musician. "That in itself is half the victory; still, I cannot see how this delay. . ." "It would give us time, and that is what we want,' replied Olympius. "Everything is in preparation, but nothing is ready. Alexandria, Athens, Antioch, and Neapolis are to be the centres of the outbreak. The great Libanius is not a man of action, and even he approves of our scheme. No less a man than Florentin has undertaken to recruit for our cause among the heathen officers in the army. Messala, and the great Gothic captains Fraiut and Generid are ready to fight for the old gods. Our army will not lack leaders. . ." "Our army!" exclaimed Karnis in surprise. "Is the matter so far advanced?" "I mean the army of the future," cried Olympius enthusiastically. "It does not count a man as yet, but is already distributed into several legions. The vigor of mind and body--our learned youth on one hand and strong-armed peasantry on the other--form the nucleus of our force. Maximus could collect, in the utmost haste, the army which deprived Gratian of his throne and life, and was within a Hair-breadth of overthrowing Theodosius; and what was he but an ambitious rebel, and what |
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