Transcriber's notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://www.archive.org/details/scarletbanner00dahngoog
Novels by Felix DahnTranslated by Mary J. SaffordA CAPTIVE OF THE ROMAN |
Right of Dramatization Reserved
Published October 14, 1903
Only through the same virtues by which they were founded willkingdomsbe maintained.
Sallustius, Catilina.
O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!
Shakespeare, Hamlet.
This story, published in Germany under the title of Gelimeris thethird volume in the group of romances to which "Felicitas" and "TheCaptive of the Roman Eagles" belong, and, like them, deals with thelong-continued conflict between the Germans and the Romans.
But in the present novel the scene of the struggle istransferred fromthe forests of Germania to the arid sands of Africa, and, inwonderfully vivid pen-pictures, the author displays the marvellousmagnificence surrounding the descendants of the Vandal Genseric, thesuperb pageants of their festivals, and the luxury whose enervatinginfluence has gradually sapped the strength and courage of the rude,invincible warriors--once the terror of all the neighboring coasts andislands--till their enfeebled limbs can no longer support the weight oftheir ancestors' armor, and they cast aside their helmets to crownthemselves with the rose-garlands of Roman revellers.
The pages glow with color as the brilliant changeful vision oflife inCarthage, under the Vandal rule, rises from the mists of the vanishedcenturies, and the characters which people this ancient world are noless varied. The noble king, the subtle Roman, Verus, the gallantwarrior, Zazo, Hilda, the beautiful, fearless Ostrogoth Princess, thewily Justinian, his unscrupulous Empress, Theodora, and their brave,impetuous general, Belisarius, are clearly portrayed; and, underlyingthe whole drama, surges the fierce warfare between Roman Catholic andArian, while the place and the period in which the scen