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When soldiers
filled the city and all, oppressed by fear, took shelter in their homes,
a certain ruffian appears in soldier's garb, armed with a sword and holding
a javelin. Three youths, similarly appareled, follow him. Breaking suddenly
into the house, he shouts with a loud voice, "Where is that wealthy master
of this house who was to have appeared before me? Well? Why don't you
answer!" Indeed, all are so terrified they cannot speak. Then the unlucky
man's wife, in a fit of tears, flings herself at the soldier's feet, saying,
"By all you hold dearest, pity us. Why destroy those already downcast?
Make the best use of your own good fortune. We, also, have enjoyed good
fortune. Do not forget that you, too, are human." "Why don't you just
shut up and hand him over? He's not going to escape me." Meanwhile the
master of the house, having heard of the commotion and the threatening
stranger, entrusts his children to their teacher. "Listen well, Gorgias,
hide my dear ones, protect them, be sure they are brought up to be young
men in safety" [etc. until the man is killed] —adapted
from Ad Herennium 4.52 |
