"
Those crowding near laughed loudly, but Vergilius hushed them and
signalled to the trumpeter. Then a call and a rush of horses into
line. The litter was lifted quickly and lashed upon the backs of two
chargers. In a little time the cohort was on its way to Jerusalem.
Arriving, it massed in front of the royal palace. Vergilius repaired
to the king's chamber. The body of Herod was now become as an old
house, its timbers sagging to their fall, its tenant trembling at dim
windows while the storm beat upon it. Shame and sorrow and remorse
were racking him down. King and kingdom were now swiftly changing.
"At last!" he piped, with quivering hands uplifted. "Slow-footed
justice! come--come close to me."
Eagerly he grasped the hands of the young Roman and kissed them. Then
he spoke with bitter irony, his words coming fast. "You met the great
king?"
"Yes, good sire."
"You put him in chains and brought him hither?"
"And I commend him to your mercy."
"Ha, ha!" the king shrieked, caressing the hand of the Roman.
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