Chapter 7 Chapter Six Threats, Plots, and Dangers

In a house near the Temple of Janos in the Holy Street, the beautiful Greek courtesan Ephgipeda reclines on a soft purple cushion on the couch in the living room of her home. So, she said, you already know something?Do you understand what's going on here? The person who spoke to the courtesan was about fifty years old.His beardless face was already lined with lines, which not even a thick layer of white powder and rouge could hide.According to the attire of that guest, one can immediately know that he is an actor who walks the rivers and lakes.Evkipeda added without waiting for an answer:

Metrobius, would you like me to tell you what I think of you?I have always paid little attention to you, but now I see that you are not a useless person. I swear to my protector, Momus!said the actor in that chirping voice.Evegipeda, if you were not more beautiful than Diana, more charming than Venus, and Cornelius.Sulla has been a bosom friend for thirty years, and Metrobius will definitely get angry with you!If anyone else said such things to me, I swear to the victorious Hercules, I would turn away at once, and hope that this reckless man will have a good time on the banks of the infernal Ristix. travel!

But what exactly were you doing during this period?What did you hear about their plans? I'm going to tell you right away that it can be said that a lot has been detected, and it can be said that nothing has been detected. what do you mean? Please be patient, I will tell you everything.I don't think you will doubt this: I, Metrobius, an old actress who has played the part for thirty years at the festivals of the Roman people, is very good at flattering horses; Rude slaves of barbarian origin, to deal with those gladiators, they are undoubtedly barbarians, let alone.Naturally, I will be able to achieve my goal, not to mention that I still have a magic weapon, gold, which is necessary to achieve this goal.

That is why I entrust this errand to you, and I have no doubts about your cunning and tact, but you But you must understand, most beautiful Ephnepida in the world, if my cunning can expose the gladiator's plot.Then you have to try it in another way or in another way.Because the plot of the gladiators is impossible to uncover, more simply, it no longer exists. Is that so?Are you sure of this? I do believe, fully believe, oh, the most beautiful girl in the world. But two months ago yes, never more than two months ago, I had word that there was a conspiracy among the gladiators: they had formed a secret society, they had their own cuts, their own codes and their own chant, Moreover, they seem to want to start a riot like the Sicilian slaves.

Do you really believe that gladiators could start a riot? Why not?Won't they rise up and fight, won't they fight to the death? I'm afraid he died in the arena Exactly so.If they could fight each other to death for the amusement of others, why should they not rise up and fight to die, if not live, for their own freedom? What does it matter, if you're sure you knew about it two months ago, that is, it's true and they did have a conspiracy but I can tell you for sure what a conspiracy they have now No more. Alas, the beautiful Greek girl sighed softly. For some reason, I probably know something about them, and I think I can guess their intentions!

That's even better!But I don't know them, and I don't want to hear about people like them! The gladiators have agreed with each other that if the Roman nobles who are dissatisfied with the current law and the current Senate can lead them to fight and command them to fight, they can rise up and riot! However, because the nobles of Rome, no matter how despicable they are, they are still unwilling to be the leader of the gladiators and be shameless villains. But there has been such an example before, let alone this, Metrobius, you better tell me But first, please satisfy my curiosity, the actor said.From whom did you hear about the gladiator plot?

from a gladiator of mine one of my fellow greeks Evegipeda, you are more powerful in the world than Jupiter in the sky.You have one foot on Mount Olympus where the nobles live, and the other foot in the mud where the lowly ones live It doesn't matter, I will do what I can do, and I will try my best to achieve For what purpose? Power, take power!Evkipeda shouted in a voice trembling with excitement.She jumped up, her face contorted with rage, and there was a savage gleam in her eyes, with a look of envy, fortitude, and determination not to be expected of a girl as charming and frail as she was. I'm going to take power and become a rich and powerful person everyone is jealous of Then she whispered in a voice full of passion and power: So that I can take revenge!

Although Metrobius was used to seeing all kinds of pretentious performances on the stage, he was also surprised at this moment.He stared blankly at the distorted Evkipeda with his mouth open.Seeing his expression, the Greek girl came to her senses and burst out laughing. If I were to play Michuya, I would definitely do well.Maybe not like Halelia.Emporaria is not as successful, in any case, as poor Metrobius, you have been stunned into a log.Though you're a seasoned old actor, an actor who always plays women and boys Evegipeda laughed again, which made Metrobius feel very embarrassed.

Are you asking what I'm trying to achieve?asked the courtesan after a while.Mindless old wooden post, aren't you asking what I'm trying to achieve? She smiled and flicked Metrobius on the nose and said: I'm going to be as rich as Sulla's mistress Nicopolla, or the old whore Flora.Flora fell in love with Gnaeus deeply.Pompey, she even had a serious illness when Pompey abandoned her.But I swear to Venus born of sea foam, I will never be sick like this!I'm going to be a very, very rich woman!old fool, do you understandIn this way, I can enjoy all the pleasures to the fullest, all the joys of life, because when life ends, as the great philosopher Epicurus taught us, everything is over and ceases to exist.Do you understand why I employ all the flattering arts and faculties that nature has endowed me with?Why do I have one foot on Olympus and the other in the mud?

But doesn't the mud in there get you dirty? Mud can always be washed off.Aren't there fewer bathhouses and showers in Rome?Is there no bathroom in my dwelling?But a great God!Just think, who dares to read a moral treatise to me!A guy who has spent his whole life in the most shameless, vile and dirty mud and mud! Oh, stop talking!Why do you paint my portrait in such vivid colors?You have painted my portrait so well that it would make people run away when they see it.I was just joking.I have already trampled my morality under my heels. What use is morality to me? Metrobius approached Evgipeda, kissed her hand, and continued:

Holy one, when will I get your pay?when? remuneration?Why should you be paid, old pervert?Evekipeda drew her hand back, flicked it on Metrobius' nose, and said: Do you know what the gladiators have planned? But the most beautiful old man in the world, Eve Kippi, complained piteously, as he followed the courtesan walking up and down the drawing room: Can I discover some conspiracy that does not exist?How can I do that, my love, how can I do that? Well, then, the courtesan turned, gave Metrobius an affectionate look with a tender smile, and said, if you want my pay, if you want me to show you gratitude Give your orders, give your orders, holy man Then you'll have to keep watching them.I do not believe that the gladiators would give up the idea of ​​riot so easily. I can go to Cooma and take a car to Capua If you want to find out some news, you'd better keep an eye on Spartacus! As soon as Evkipeda said the name, her face turned red. Ah, this is Spartacus, whom I have followed closely for a month, not only for you, but also for myself, or more precisely, for Sulla. What?Why?What did you say?Aiwu Jipida asked curiously, approaching Metrobius. Metrobius looked around, as if afraid of being overheard, put his forefinger on his lips, and then whispered to Evgipeda: This is my suspicion and my secret.Because maybe I could be mistaken, and it involved Sulla, and I'm not going to tell anyone in the world about it until I've proven myself right. A shadow of fear passed across the face of Evegipeda, which Metrobius could not understand; A curious desire to find out everything was ignited in her heart.Perhaps, to the mysterious and special motives that impelled her to find out what was going on, there must be added a woman's curiosity that tormented her, and a strong desire peculiar to beautiful women: she wanted to test her own charm. How much magic is there, even for this old whore. Perhaps, Spartacus wanted to assassinate Sulla? What’s wrong with you?To come up with such an idea! So what's the matter? I can't tell you to wait until sometime in the future Won't you even tell me, my dear, fair Metropius?Ephne Pitta took the old actor's hand, and stroked his aging cheek with her own soft palm.Do you have doubts about me too?Don't you still believe that my serious character is different from other women?You yourself have said more than once that I am the eighth sage of Greece.I swear to you, to my protector, Apollo of Delphi, that I will never tell anyone else what you have told me!Say it, my good Metrobius, tell it to your Evegipeda.That would make me grateful to you. She coquettishly caressed him, gave him a gentle smile, flung charming eyes, and in a short while, she finally made him succumb to her charm and achieved her goal. It seems that nothing can ever get rid of you without letting you achieve your goal, said Metrobius.Well, let me know!I suspect my suspicions are well-founded in that Spartacus is in love with Van Laeria, and that Van Laeria is in love with him. Ah, I swear by the torch of the Nemesis!The young Aifuji Pida suddenly turned pale, clenched his fists viciously and shouted.is it possible? I fully believe this, although I have no proof yet, but remember, don't tell anyone! Ah, exclaimed Evkipeda, suddenly very dark, as if she were talking to herself.Ah that's why.Yes, there must be no other reason!Only woman another woman!Another woman!she cried angrily.So she must be prettier than I am, poor mad woman I am!So, there was indeed another woman who had captured his heart! So the courtesan covered her face with her hands and burst into tears. It is not difficult to imagine how surprised Metrobius was by Evegipeda's tears and what she had inadvertently revealed. Evekipeda, the peerless beauty Avekipeda, how many of the most powerful and wealthy nobles in Rome sighed for her, Evekipeda, who never loved anyone, would Frantically in love with a brave gladiator herself; this woman who had always scorned the numerous Roman nobles who pursued her, should have her love rejected by a common freed gladiator! In justice to Metrobius, he pitied the poor whore from the bottom of his heart.He approached her, trying to persuade her.As he comforted her, he said: But maybe it's not true I could be wrong maybe it's just how I feel No, no, you are not mistaken!Not that you think so it's true, true!I know, I feel it, replied Evkipeda, wiping her bitter tears with the hem of her robe. After a while she said in a dark but resolute voice: OK, I see it's good that you revealed this to me. yes but i beg you don't betray me Don't be afraid, Metrobius, don't be afraid, on the contrary, I will reward you with all my strength; if you will help me to carry through to the end the plan I have contemplated, you will actually see how I love Fukipeda Repay yours. She considered it for a while, then said in a broken voice: Listen, you gotta ride Kumar just gotta go, start today, start now You gotta watch his every step, every word, every sigh get evidence and we can avenge, Sura's honor , revenge for my female pride! Trembling with excitement, Evegipeda went out of the room, ran to the door, and said to the astonished Metrobius: You wait a minute, I'll be right back. She came back really soon, and she brought a heavy leather bag, which she gave to Metrobius and said: Hey, take it.Here are a thousand euri.You can use it to bribe the female slave over there, but you must bring the evidence back, you hear?if you need more money I have Very good, don't begrudge money at all, I will make it up to you, let's go today, don't delay on the road, come back as soon as you get the evidence, the sooner the better! As he spoke, Evekipeda pushed the poor old actor out of the room and urged him to go.She accompanied him out along the corridor, passed the living room, passed the altar dedicated to the kitchen god of the house, passed the stone pond filled with rainwater in the inner courtyard, led him through the front hall and the outer courtyard, and came to the gate.She told the slave at the gate: Hall Morgan, see this gentleman?Whenever he comes, day or night, bring him in to me at once. She said good-bye to Metrobius again, and went back to her room, closing the door behind her.She paced back and forth in the room for a long time, slowing down her pace for a while, and quickening her pace for a while.Thousands of thoughts, desires, and plans gathered and raced in her feverish mind, her mind now stunned and suddenly illumined by evil thoughts: the emotion reflected in her eyes had already There is no human element, only cruel animal rage. At last she flung herself on the bed, whimpering and biting her hand with her snow-white teeth, and cried out in a low voice: O Nemesis!Help me get revenge, I will build a magnificent altar for you!Revenge, I long for revenge!revenge! We have to go back to the front in order to understand the insane rage of Evekipeda the Beauty.I will briefly tell the reader what has happened in the two months since the day when Van Laeria was overcome with passion for Spartacus and dedicated herself to him. Spartacus had a formidable presence, a superbly fit physique, and, as the reader remembers, a remarkable, moving countenance.When his face was not distorted by anger, it always showed a lovely smile, giving people a feeling of kindness and tenderness.His big blue eyes always contained the charm of passionate love.It is no wonder that, for this reason, he kindled in Valeria's heart such a deep and intense love as that which had seized his soul, his love for her.Soon, this famous lady discovered more and more new qualities and new values ​​in her beloved, and she was completely conquered by them, so she not only loved him sincerely, but also respected him and worshiped him. He respected and adored Lucius just as she had a few months before.Cornelius.Sulla in general, although she doesn't really love the dictator. Whether Spartacus himself feels happy or whether he is really happy can be understood without description.After his first taste of ecstatic love, his heart was filled with a feeling of happiness, and like all lovers, he was completely immersed in happiness and became an egoist: he forgot Not so long ago he had locked his chains, forgetting the sacred cause of freedom that he had wanted so long and sworn to the end.Yes, he forgot everything, for as long as a man is human, passionate love drowns all his other passions at once, just as it made Pompey, Crassus, and Cicero bewildered. At that time, when Spartacus was in love without thinking, when he thought he was loved, and in fact he was loved, Evekipeda once Inviting him persistently to her house, under the pretense of discussing with him the great question of the gladiator plot.Finally, Spartacus accepted her request and came to the courtesan's house. The courtesan Evkipeda, as we have said above, was not yet twenty-four years old.Eight years before the events we describe, that is, in the year 668 of the Roman era, after Sulla had captured Athens after a long siege, Avegipi, born in the outskirts of Athens, became a captive of the Romans.She fell to a licentious nobleman Pubrius.Stacius.At the hands of Apronio, he led this wicked, jealous, treacherous and vain young slave girl to the path of corruption.Thanks to Evegipeda's carnal relations with those lecherous old men in Rome, she was quickly freed.She then worked as a prostitute and gradually gained wealth, fame and power.In addition to rare beauty, nature also endowed her with extraordinary wisdom, and she became the instigator of all kinds of conspiracies and tricks.When she had known all the secrets of evil, tasted all the pleasures of life, and tasted all the sensual pleasures, she began to loathe her own disgraceful career.Just at this time, she ran into Spartacus.His Hercules-like powers and his very handsome features moved her deeply.In the depths of Evekipeda's soul a strange desire was kindled, and she had no doubt that the gladiator would respond enthusiastically to her request. When she had cheated Spartacus into her house, she had brought into play all her housekeeping skills, all the seductive power that her charming sensuality and evil habits had given her.However, she was extremely surprised to see how indifferent the unleashed gladiator was to all her charming charms; she had to believe that when everyone was greedy to win her favor, there was still Such a person who can refuse her caresses; especially, this person who despises her is the one and only person she loves.But after this accident, the courtesan's strange desire was gradually and unexpectedly transformed into a real passionate love; this strong love is terrible and dangerous, because it is in the soul of sin. burning up. After Spartacus served as the headmaster of Sura's gladiatorial school, he went to Kumar soon.The dictator Sulla had a magnificent villa on the outskirts of Kuma, where he often lived with his family, attendants and servants. The Greek girl's self-esteem was greatly wounded by the gladiator's inability to respond to Evegipeda's love, and she guessed that the reason for his neglect of her was, no doubt, that he had encountered a rival and another had seized her. The woman of all Spartacus' love.The courtesan instinctively feels that only the love of another woman, only the image of another woman, can make Spartacus control himself and make him refuse her embrace.So she tried her best to forget about Spartacus in various ways, trying to expel all memories about him from her mind, but it was still useless.Such is the psychology of man, and seems always to be so: the more unattainable something is, the more he desires it, and the greater the difficulty encountered in the realization of this desire, the greater the will to struggle. strong. Before this, Aifujipi was happy and carefree, but now she has become the most pitiful creature of God, a humble creature who barely survives in wealth, joy and the pursuit of others. . The reader has seen how delighted Evkipeda was when she seized the opportunity of taking revenge on the man she hated and loved, and that lucky competitor. When Evkipeda locked herself in her room and let all kinds of evil thoughts run wild in her sinful soul, and Metrobius rode on his steed to Kuma as if flying, in Vina An equally momentous turn of events took place in the Tavern of Spartacus; a turn of events that was very dangerous to Spartacus and to the cause of the liberation of the oppressed, for which he was determined to fight.At dusk on April 17th (or March 17th in the Gregorian calendar) in the Roman era 676, a large group of gladiators gathered in the hotel of the one-eyed Lutaisia.They were ready to enjoy the shop's enemas, roasts, and swigs of viritra and dusgul.Among the twenty gladiators sitting around the table, every one of them wanted to eat and drink. The gladiator Clixus sat at the head, and he was the host of the banquet.His strength and courage, we have already said, endowed him with great prestige among his companions, and also commanded the respect and confidence of Spartacus. The table for the gladiators was arranged in the small room in the hotel.Here they felt very free, comfortable, and free to have a frank conversation, especially since there were very few guests in the large room outside at that time, and the few guests who were there were rushing to drink a glass of Dusgul. The wine was gone right away. When Alexis and his companions sat down at the table, they saw a basin of leftovers on a small table in the corner of the room, on which a visitor had evidently dined not long ago. Tell me, Lutesia.Qibella, said Clixus, Mistress of the Gods, to the proprietress who was busily laying food and making arrangements at the table. I'm the mother, but not the mother of God, but the mother of all lowly gladiator liars like you!Lutesia interrupted him. But aren't your Roman gods gladiators? How are they better than us? Oh, may the great Jupiter forgive me!What blasphemous nonsense have I heard!cried Lutesia angrily. I swear to Haisus, the god of war, that I neither lied nor blasphemed!I don't need to mention Mars and his career, but just take Bacchus and Hercules. If they are not the best and bravest gladiators, what they have done is not worth letting go. Go to the amphitheater and the arena and let Jupiter kill our handsome gladiator boss Akzien instantly with thunder and fire! The guests at the table burst into unanimous laughter, and words like this flew from all around: Say what if say what if!As long as God wants to, he can be killed! When the uproar died down, Clixus asked: Tell me, Lutesia, who is the guest at this little table for dinner? Lutesia turned around and exclaimed in surprise: Where did he hide?Alas, alas!She looked around and said again.Ah, Juno.Lucina!help me! To help you when you give birth to your kittens!grunted a gladiator. He is gone!Walked away without paying!Lutesia said in surprise, and rushed towards the empty little table. he?Who is this nameless man?Where did the man who took his name hide?asked Clixus. ha!One-eyed Lutetsia yelled and immediately fell silent.It was superfluous for me to speak ill of him just now.I knew he was a good guy.See, he left me eight sesterces on the table and even more besides paying the bill.I still have to find him four and a half asses. May you explode immediately!Do you really want to tell me? Alas, poor man!Lutesia continued as she left the table.He even forgot the wax board and stylus used to keep the accounts here. Let Proserpina dip your tongue in sweet and sour sauce tonight, you old Meghera!Are you going to tell me the name of your guest?exclaimed Alexas, thrown into a tantrum by Lutetia's chatter. I say, I say, you fools!You are more curious than all women in the world!Lutesia replied angrily.The guest at that table for dinner was a grain merchant from Sabina.He was in Rome on business and had eaten here at the same time almost every day for several days. Then show it to me, said Clixus.He took from Lutesia the small waxed board and the bone stylus that had been forgotten on the table, and began to read everything the merchant had written on it. The wax tablets did record the batches of grain purchased, the price agreed upon by both parties, and the names of some people who sold the grain. It seems that they had received the advance payment from the merchant, because a sum of money was written under their names. Pen figures. Only one thing I don't understand anyway, said One-Eyed Lutesia, when exactly did this guest go away?I could swear he was still sitting here when you came in!Ah, I see!Probably he called me while I was busy preparing the enema and pork for you; he called and called and saw that I didn't answer, so he left. Maybe he was busy himself but he still left the money on the table.What an honorable guest! Then Lutesia took the wax tablet and stylus from Clixus and walked away, muttering to herself: He will come tomorrow, he will definitely come.I want to return everything to him untouched. The hungry gladiators kept eating, and they hardly spoke a word. After a while, a gladiator asked: What exactly?So, no news from Sun yet? The sun has gone behind the clouds, Clixus replied. But that is strange, said one gladiator. It's just incomprehensible, another whispered. Hear anything about ants? The ants are multiplying more and more, they are all trying to find food, waiting for the summer to come. Let the summer come quickly, let the sun shine so brightly that the hardworking bee can see the stamen, and the lazy drone's wings be burned by the sun's light. Tell me, Clixus, how many stars are there within sight of you? There were 2,260 in total last night. Are there any new stars emerging? They will continue to appear until the entire space is covered with tens of trillions of stars and becomes a radiant splendor! Keep an eye on the oars, a gladiator hurriedly reminded everyone when he saw the Ethiopian slave girl Asur enter the room. When Assur went out, a Gallic gladiator said to everyone in bad Latin: We don't have a single outsider here, and I think we can talk freely without using sloppy words.I have not been in the Union for a long time, and I have not yet learned to speak fluently with the incision.Now I will ask you in Mandarin: How much has the number of our alliance members increased?Are our numbers growing every day?Finally, when are we going to revolt and start the real battle?When will we be able to teach these arrogant and stupid rulers the truth that we too are brave men, perhaps braver than they are? You're impatient, Brettrevel, Clixus replied, smiling.You shouldn't be in such haste and haste!Every day the number of our allies rises; every hour and every minute the defenders of the sacred cause increase. There will be a meeting of the Lieutenant General of the Sacred Grove of Goddess Fulina. At this meeting, we will recruit eleven loyal and proven gladiators into our alliance according to our prescribed ceremony. In the sacred grove of the goddess Fulina!said the quick-tempered Brett-Vell.Among the branches and leaves of oak trees more than hundreds of years old there, Gaius.Gracchus' unvengeable wraith still groans, and the hideous nobleman has infiltrated this sacred sanctuary with his noble blood!Yes, it is in this wood that the oppressed should gather, unite, and rise together for freedom! But I say so, said a gladiator of Shamnit.Even if I can't wait for the uprising to break out, I still have to wait, not because I believe that the result of the uprising will be victorious, but because I have long been eager to fight the Romans and replace the Shams who died in the civil war. The Nites and Marcis take revenge. No, I wouldn't join the League of the Oppressed if I didn't believe that our just cause would be victorious. I was doomed to die anyway, but I would rather die on the battlefield than in the arena.That's why I want to join the League. At this time, a gladiator's dagger and the belt of the saber fell to the ground. The dagger was originally hanging on his body, but when he entered the hotel, he took it off and put it on his knee.The gladiator sat on a stool facing the two couches on which his companions reclined.So he stooped to pick up the dagger.Suddenly he exclaimed: There is someone under the dining table! Verily, a foot protruded from under the dining-table, bound from the knee to the ankle in a wide bandage of white cloth (that was worn by many at that time, and was called crularis in Latin), And the hem of the green toga can still be seen. The surprised and excited gladiators all jumped up from their seats. Clixus ordered: Watch out for paddles!Brettrevel and Torquevado are going to chase away the bugs and let us fry the fish. Immediately obeying the order, the two gladiators ran to the door.Leaning against the doorjamb, they began talking carelessly and loudly, while the rest of the group overturned the dining couch in the blink of an eye and dragged out a man of thirty who was hiding underneath.When the man was seized by four mighty hands, he begged for his life at once. Don't bark, Clixus whispered to him sternly.Don't move, or I will kill you here! The sharp edges of a dozen short swords gleamed, warning the captured spy that if he dared to snort, his soul would fly to the underworld at once. Ah, so the merchant from Sabina is you?Are you the one who buys grain in these parts and puts a handful of Sestels on the table?asked Clixus, a dark, hateful gleam in his bloodshot eyes. Believe me, the brave ones said the spy, his face turning blue with terror. Shut up, bastard!cried a gladiator, striking the spy hard in the stomach. O'Marker!Clixus said reproachfully.Wait a minute and let him say who sent him here. Then, turning to the suspicious grain buyer, he called out: You don't live by buying and selling grain, you live by being a spy and an informer For God's sake I beg you!said the spy in a staccato trembling voice. who are you?Who sent you here? Spare my life, I will tell you everything, as long as you show mercy, have pity on me, spare my life! Let's wait for us to make a decision later, now you talk first! My name is Silvius.Gortanius.Veles I am a Greek, I was a slave before, and now I am Gaius.Veles' freed slaves. Oh, so you came here on his orders? Yes, he ordered me to come. But when have we offended this Gaius.Veles?Why did he send spies to sniff out our news?If he wants to know the purpose of our secret meeting, he is preparing to denounce it to the Senate. I don't know I don't know Gaius.Soso, the freed slave of Veles, said tremblingly. Don't lie and don't pretend to be stupid.Since Veles entrusts you with such a delicate and dangerous job, it means that he thinks you are very clever and capable, and you can complete this task competently and thoroughly.Tell everything quickly, if you still try to lie, it will not end well for you. Silvius.高爾台尼烏斯知道事情不是鬧著玩的，他知道死亡就要臨頭了，因此，他像落水的人抓住一根稻草那樣，決定把一切全都說個明白，盡最大的可能竭力保全自己的生命。於是他把他所知道的一切都原原本本地供了出來。 Gaius.維萊斯在卡提林納家的酒宴上知道了角鬥士中間存在著準備用暴動推翻現行法律和當前政權的某種祕密同盟。維萊斯深信這些不怕死的勇士是不會這麼輕易放棄自己的密謀的因為他們再沒有什麼可以喪失，而得到的卻可能是一切；因此，當斯巴達克斯那天晚上在卡提林納的三榻餐廳裡，顯出痛苦而又絕望的表情，宣布放棄一切有關暴動的念頭時，維萊斯是一點兒也不相信的。相反，他完全相信，密謀仍舊存在，角鬥士的同盟正在繼續發展壯大，到了某一個好日子，他們就可以用不著羅馬貴族的同情和參加，舉起暴動的旗幟。 在這樣的情況之下，維萊斯為了對付這一密謀，曾經考慮了很久。他是非常貪財的，他認為只要對他有利，不論採取什麼手段都好：因此他決定派人跟蹤角鬥士們的行動，探聽他們的一切計劃，掌握陰謀的所有線索，然後向元老院告密。他希望元老院會因此給他一大筆賞金或者派他到某一個省份裡去做官，這樣，他就可以合法地向當地的居民進行掠奪，大發其財，像絕大多數的財務官、監察官和總督一樣。誰都知道，這一不僅本身腐化同時也腐化了所有官吏的元老院，是不會理睬被壓迫居民的控訴的。 維萊斯為了達到這一目的，在一個月之前就把這個任務付託給他的一釋放奴隸兼忠僕西裡維烏斯．高爾台尼烏斯。他命令他緊緊跟蹤角鬥士們，注意他們的每一行動，探聽他們所有的祕密集會。 這樣，一個月來，西里維烏斯．高爾台尼烏斯就很有耐心地訪問了數也數不清的下等賭窟、妓院、酒館、飯店和客棧。那些場所大都處在羅馬最貧窮、最偏僻的區域，也是角鬥士們常常聚集和會晤的地方。 經過他不斷的偷聽、觀察和監視，他已經獲得了好些證據，而且得出了某些推論。他明白，除了斯巴達克斯之外，在角鬥士中間最受大家尊敬也最有威望的人就是克利克薩斯。而且，如果角鬥士們有密謀存在的話，那麼它的主要線索就是掌握在克利克薩斯的手裡。因此，他就開始跟蹤克利克薩斯。同時，因為這位高盧角鬥士是維納斯酒店的老主顧，西里維烏斯就接連六、七天每天都上那兒去，有時候，甚至一天去上兩次。他探聽明白那天晚上同盟的小組長要在維納斯酒店裡集會，而且克利克薩斯本人也來參加，他經過長久的深思熟慮以後就決定採取狡猾的辦法：角鬥士們剛一到，他就趁獨眼魯泰茜雅忙著招呼的當兒鑽到餐榻下面去，因此誰也沒有注意他的突然失蹤。 西里維烏斯．高爾台尼烏斯敘述一切經過的時候，開始是用顫抖而且斷續的聲音、急促而且不相連貫地說出來的，但說到末了，他就說得愈來愈生動而且非常有聲有色了。克利克薩斯仔細地觀察著他，接著，沉默了幾秒鐘，然後慢慢地非常沉著地說道： 你真是一個稀有的壞蛋！ 你把我估計得過高了，高貴的克利克薩斯，我，事實上 不，不，你比我們第一眼看到的還要危險得多！在外表上看來，你似乎是一隻笨山羊而且膽怯得像隻兔子可是現在瞧吧，你是多麼聰明而且多麼狡猾啊！ 可是我並沒有做過什麼對你們不利的壞事我只是執行我主人的命令請看在我老實坦白的份上饒了我吧而且，我可以對所有奧林帕斯山上和地獄中的神起誓，關於你們的事情我對誰對誰甚至對維萊斯都沒有說過一句。我想你們一定可以饒恕我的性命，不論放我到什麼地方去都行。 不要忙，我的善良的西里維烏斯，這一點我們以後再談吧，克利克薩斯用嘲弄的口吻回答，接著他把七、八個角鬥士喊到身邊，對他們說。讓我們出去一下。 他首先走出房門，接著又回過頭來對其餘的角鬥士說： 看住他但是不要傷害他。 克利克薩斯和被他喊來的角鬥士們一起穿過酒店的那個大房間，走到巷子裡。 我們怎麼樣對付這個壞蛋呢？當角鬥士們圍住了克利克薩斯的時候，他問。 Do you still need to ask?勃烈卓維爾回答。像對付瘋狗一般幹掉他！ 要是放走他那簡直就等於我們自己出賣自己。另一個角鬥士說。 讓他活命或者把他作為人質關到什麼地方去也是非常危險的，第三個角鬥士說。 而且我們能把他藏到哪兒去啊？第四個角鬥士問。 這麼說，就只好幹掉他？克利克薩斯一面向同伴們投去探詢的眼光，一面說。 街上很荒涼。 我們可以把他帶到街那一頭的小山頂上 Ｍｏｒｓｓｕａ，ｖｉｔａｍｏｓｔｒｓ，勃烈卓維爾用教訓的口吻，無情而又結結巴巴地說出這四個拉丁字眼。 是的，這是必要的，克利克薩斯肯定道，他向酒店門口走了幾步，然後停下來問。誰去殺死他？ 大家沉默了好久，最後，一個角鬥士說： 幹掉一個手無寸鐵、不能自衛的人 如果他有短劍另一個角鬥士也躊躇地說。 如果他能夠而且願意保衛自己，我倒願意擔任這個工作，勃烈卓維爾說。 可是殺死一個手無寸鐵的人沙姆尼特人托爾克瓦多猶豫地說。 你們都是勇敢而又崇高的人，克利克薩斯激動地說。都是應當獲得自由的人！但是為了我們共同的利益，總得有一個人克制自己的憎惡心情，執行這一由我代表大家提出來的、被壓迫者同盟的法庭的判決。 大家都默默地不作聲了，並且低下頭來表示同意和服從。 再說，克利克薩斯接著說。難道他是用相等的武器跟我們公開戰鬥的嗎？難道他不是一個暗探嗎？如果不是我們發覺他躲在餐榻下，難道再過兩個鐘頭他還不把一切都告訴他的主人嗎？到了明天，我們就會全被人家關進瑪梅金納斯牢獄，而且再過兩天，就會活活釘死在塞斯太爾司廣場的十字架上了。 對啊，真的，真的，好幾個角鬥士低聲說。 那麼，我以被壓迫者同盟的名義，命令勃烈卓維爾和托爾克瓦多去幹掉這個罪犯。 克利克薩斯叫到名字的那兩個角鬥士，低下了頭表示同意，於是大家跟著克利克薩斯一起回到了酒店。 西里維烏斯．高爾台尼烏斯．維萊斯正恐懼地等待著對他命運的判決，那幾分鐘對他來說不但好像幾個鐘頭，甚至像好幾個世紀。當他的眼光落到走進酒店來的克利克薩斯和他的夥伴們身上時，他的臉頓時變得像紙一般白了，他的眼睛裡流露出恐懼的光芒他在他們的臉上看出事情的嚴重性來了。 告訴我，你們已經饒我的命了吧？他問，在他的聲音中含著哽咽。你們決定保全我的生命了吧？right?我跪下來求你們，我要懇求你們看在你們父親、母親以及所有親人的份上我哀求你們！ 我們的父親和母親早已被人家奪去了，勃烈卓維爾冷冷地回答，他的臉色頓時變得陰沉了。 我們所有的親人都被永遠隔絕了！另一個角鬥士說，他的眼睛裡閃爍著憤怒和復仇的光芒。 起來，壞蛋！托爾克瓦多命令道。 不要作聲！克利克薩斯對托爾克瓦多喊道，然後轉過臉來對蓋烏斯．維萊斯的釋放奴隸說。你和我們一起出去。到了巷口我們再商議一下，怎樣決定你的命運。 克利克薩斯做了一個手勢，叫角鬥士們把西里維烏斯．高爾台尼烏斯拉起來帶出去，但為了使這個暗探不致滿街狂叫，克利克薩斯故意留給他最後一線希望。接著，他夾在一大群拖著那個嚇得半死的釋放奴隸的角鬥士們中間走了出去，可是西里維烏斯並沒有抗拒，也沒有哼上一聲。 一個角鬥士為了付獨眼魯泰茜雅的酒菜帳，留了下來。老板娘並沒有注意到，在出去的二十個角鬥士中間，還夾雜著那個收購穀物的商人。角鬥士們出了酒店就向右拐彎，循著一條曲曲折折的汙穢小巷一直往城牆旁走去。城牆外面就是一片曠野。 角鬥士們在這兒停了下來。西里維烏斯．高爾台尼烏斯噗的跪了下來，一面哭一面哀求饒命。 卑鄙的膽小鬼，你要不要用同樣的武器，跟我們中間任何一個搏鬥呢？勃烈卓維爾向那個拚命哀求他們的釋放奴隸問道。 饒了我吧！饒了我吧！可憐可憐我的孩子們，我求求你們！ 我們沒有孩子！一個角鬥士說。 我們被註定永遠沒有家庭！另一個角鬥士又說。 你只會躲起來做奸細嗎？勃烈卓維爾說。你不能光明正大地跟人角鬥嗎？ 饒了我吧！生生慈悲心吧！我求求你們！ 那麼上地獄去吧，膽小鬼！勃烈卓維爾叫道，他一劍刺進了暗探的胸膛。 讓所有既不要臉又沒有勇氣的小人都跟你一起完蛋吧！托爾克瓦多說，一面用短劍向倒在地上的暗探又刺了一下。 角鬥士們圍住了快要死去的人，默默地看著他最後的幾陣痙攣。他們的臉是憂鬱的，陰沉的。勃烈卓維爾和托爾克瓦多為了把短劍上的血跡擦乾淨，趁著鮮血還沒有凝結的時候，把短劍插進泥地好幾次，接著就把它們插到鞘裡去。 然後，二十個嚴肅而又沉默的角鬥士走出了荒僻的巷子，來到了羅馬的熱鬧街道上。 在這件事情發生了一星期以後，大約在晚上第一支火炬燃著的時候，從阿庇烏斯大道那一邊來了一個騎馬的人，穿過加賓門進了羅馬城。他緊裹著大氅，想藉此略微抵擋一下滂沱大雨。那雨已經接連下了好幾個鐘頭，淹沒了羅馬的街道。加賓門附近永遠是非常擁擠的，因為這幾道門通向阿庇烏斯大道。阿庇烏斯大道是羅馬所有道路之王，因為它又分出好些枝枝椏椏的道路，通向賽季亞、加普亞、庫瑪、薩萊倫、倍涅文特、布隆的西和沙姆尼。加賓門的衛兵已經看慣了那種人來車往晝夜不息的情景。這兒有各種出身的人，他們穿著形形色色的衣服，有的步行，有的騎馬，有的坐轎，有的乘車，也有坐在套在兩頭騾子上面的涼轎上面的。但衛兵們望著那個騎馬的人和他的駿馬卻覺得有點兒奇怪：因為人和馬由於長途奔馳都已累得精疲力竭，不但渾身大汗而且濺滿了泥漿。 那個騎士穿過了加賓門就用馬刺踢馬，那匹馬就奮身疾馳而去。衛兵只聽見一陣響亮的馬蹄聲漸漸遠去，終於在遠處的街道上消失了。 一會兒那匹駿馬已經跑到神聖街，在愛芙姬琵達的房子前面停了下來。那個騎馬的人跳下馬，拿起掛在門旁的青銅小錘，在門上重重地敲了幾下。回答他的是一陣狗的吠叫聲羅馬城裡每一家人家都有守門的狗。 那位抖動著透濕的大氅的騎者，不久就聽到看門人的腳步聲他正穿過院子走來，一面大聲叱著狗，免得牠再吠下去。 神靈保佑你，好心的海爾摩根！我是梅特羅比烏斯；剛從庫瑪回來 一路上好！ 我渾身淋得透濕，簡直像一條魚管雨的朱庇特在開玩笑，祂要給我看看祂儲蓄在空中的豐富雨水呢，替我喊一個愛芙姬琵達的奴隸出來吧。叫他把我那匹可憐的馬拉到附近騾馬店的馬房裡去，讓他們把它安頓到一個馬棚裡去，多餵它一些燕麥。 看門人拉住了馬勒子，用手指很響地擰彈了幾下，這是叫奴隸出來的暗號然後對梅特羅比烏斯說： 進來吧，進來吧，梅特羅比烏斯！這兒房子的安排您老人家是很熟悉的。您可以在迴廊那兒找到服侍女主人的女奴隸阿斯巴茜雅，她會進去稟告的。您老人家的馬我會替您照顧的，一切照您剛才吩咐的辦理。 梅特羅比烏斯開始小心翼翼地走下前院的台階，竭力不讓自己摔交，因為摔交是不吉祥的預兆。他進了穿堂，從天花板上吊下來的青銅掛燈的光輝，映出了按照當時風尚嵌在鑲木地板上的大字Ｓａｌｖｅ（歡迎）；接著，當客人只向前走了幾步，這個字又被壁上籠子裡的一隻鸚哥反覆地大聲叫了出來。 梅特羅比烏斯經過穿堂和前廳，又進了迴廊。他在那兒看到了阿斯巴茜雅，就吩咐她把他已經來到的消息去報告愛芙姬琵達。 女奴隸起先是猶豫不決、搖擺不定的，但是梅特羅比烏斯堅持要她進去。阿斯巴茜雅正在害怕：如果她不把梅特羅比烏斯到來的消息報告女主人，她會叱罵她，甚至打她，但另一方面，這個可憐的女奴隸又怕在這時候進去打擾女主人會使她發怒。最後，她還是決定把梅特羅比烏斯到來的消息去報告女主人。 但那時候，這位名妓正舒適地坐在她那冬季密室中柔軟而華麗的躺椅上，一心一意地傾聽著坐在她腳旁的一個青年的愛情獨白。她的房間裡擺著極其精美的家具。那兒由於熊熊燃燒的爐火非常溫暖，到處散發著一陣陣奇妙的香氣。愛芙姬琵達那大膽的手正撫摸著他那柔軟而又濃密的黑色鬈髮，而他呢，正用充滿了熱情的眼光注視著她，一面用熱烈的富有詩意的話語，向她傾吐著自己的柔情和愛意。 那個青年生就中等身材，身體顯得很文弱。一對極其靈活的黑眼睛在他端正、俊秀的白臉上顯得非常突出。他穿著一件極薄的鑲紫邊的白綢上衣，那證明他是一個非常高貴的上流人。This is Lucius.Lucretius.Carus.他打年輕時就精通了伊比鳩魯的哲學，在他天才的頭腦中已經打下了那部不朽的長詩的基礎。他在生活中也遵守他的導師的信條，他並不企求認真的、深摯的愛，而是追求那種剎那間的愛情冒險，因為他害怕： 因為心上的創痕， 除非結上了痂， 只會一天比一天更使人苦痛 為了去除舊的愛神之箭 去追尋新的， 那猶如用尖楔去敲出尖楔， 短促的歡娛會飛快地消逝， 猶如摘下甜蜜的果實。 但是，這並沒有能阻止他在四十四歲的壯年時期就用自殺來結束他的生命，而且正如一般人所推想的，那正是由於一種已經絕望同時又難以捨棄的愛情所促成的。 盧克列梯烏斯是一個漂亮的、天才橫溢的青年，也是一個令人愉快而且機智的談話夥伴。他很富有，而且為了滿足自己的奇特欲望毫不吝惜金錢。他常常到愛芙姬琵達這兒來，在她的房間裡耽上好幾個鐘頭。這位名妓對他也是另眼相看，而且常常熱情地加以接待，甚至比對那些較之盧克列梯烏斯更富有、更慷慨的嫖客還要殷勤。 你愛我嗎？這位名妓風騷地問年輕的盧克列梯烏斯，一面撫弄著他的一綹綹的鬈髮。 我沒有使你討厭嗎？ 不，我比以前更愛你了，因為： 這是永恆不變的真理： 我們彼此的占有愈完滿， 我們心胸中的奇異愛火 就燒燃得更加猛烈。 正在那時候，有人輕輕地敲了一下門。 Who?愛芙姬琵達問。 阿斯巴茜雅膽怯地回答： 梅特羅比烏斯老爺已經從庫瑪回來了 ah!愛芙姬琵達頓時漲紅了臉快樂地叫了一聲，從躺椅上跳了下來。come yet?快領他到書房裡會我立刻就來接著她急忙轉過身子，對帶著不高興的樣子跟著站起來的盧克列梯烏斯用急促但是親熱的聲音說：等我一會兒難道你沒有聽見外面的暴風雨多厲害嗎？我立刻就會回來而且，如果那人帶來的消息我已渴望了整整一星期啦是很好的好消息，如果我在今天晚上能夠獲得我所渴望的一切，使我以後可以達到復仇的目的，消除我心頭的憎恨，那我一定要和你一起享受我那歡欣的心情。 愛芙姬琵達極其激動地走出了密室，讓盧克列梯烏斯獨個兒又驚詫又不滿，同時又茫然不知所措地留在那兒。他搖搖頭，想了一會兒，然後開始在房間裡踱來踱去。 暴風雨正在外面瘋狂地咆哮。迅疾的閃電用突然迸發的慘白光芒一次又一次地照亮了整個房間，滾動的可怕的雷聲把屋基都要震坍了。在雷聲的轟響中，可以非常清楚地聽到冰雹落地的噠噠聲和驟雨的喧嘩聲。猛烈的北風發出了尖嘯，向所有的門窗和縫隙吹來。 萬神之王朱庇特正在天上作樂呢，他想給大家看看他那排山倒海的威力，年輕的盧克列梯烏斯浮起嘲弄的微笑低聲說。 他又踱了幾分鐘，然後坐在躺椅上。他坐了很久，在那兒默默地想著，似乎他的整個身心都沉浸在被大自然的激烈鬥爭所引起的感覺中了。接著，他突然從那架精美絕倫的小衣櫃上，拿起一塊塗蠟的小木板和一枝銀桿鐵尖的小筆，俯下靈感橫溢的狂熱的臉，開始縱筆疾書。 愛芙姬琵達走進了梅特羅比烏斯正在那兒等待她的書房。他已經脫下那件大氅，正在極其不快地打量它。它的確已經被雨和泥漿弄得不成樣子了。愛芙姬琵達喊住了正準備出去的女奴隸，說： 把壁爐裡的火通得旺些。把衣服拿來，讓我們的梅特羅比烏斯換上衣服。然後在三榻餐廳裡擺上一席豐盛的晚餐。 接著她拉起梅特羅比烏斯的雙手，緊緊地握著它們，問道： How about it?我的出色的梅特羅比烏斯，你一定給我帶來了好消息吧？ 從庫瑪帶來的消息倒很好，可是一路上的情形卻壞透了。 看見了，看見了，我可憐的梅特羅比烏斯。坐得靠近爐火一些吧。愛芙姬琵達把凳子挪近了壁爐。趕快告訴我，你弄到了我所要的證據沒有？ 美麗的愛芙姬琵達，你也明白，金雨能夠給朱庇特打開達娜伊的高塔的青銅大門 嘿，不要再饒舌吧難道剛才洗過的澡還沒有使你清醒一些，你不能說得簡短些嗎？ 我用錢買通了一個女奴隸，在一個小小的門洞裡好幾次看到斯巴達克斯在下半夜三點到四點之間走進范萊麗雅的房間。 啊，地獄裡的神啊，幫助我！愛芙姬琵達發出痛快的歡呼。她把她扭歪了的臉轉向梅特羅比烏斯，她那睜大了瞳孔的憤怒的兩眼，向上鼓起的鼻翼，顫抖的嘴唇，就好像一隻渴血的雌老虎那樣。她喘著氣問道：這麼說，每一天這兩個混蛋都在玷辱玷辱蘇拉的光榮威名？ 我想他們在戀奸情熱的時候是不顧一切的，連神聖的禁日也不會顧到的。 啊，他們的禁日就要到了，因為我要把他們可惡的頭顱奉獻給地獄裡的神！愛芙姬琵達得意洋洋地叫道。 她轉過身子，準備出去，但又突然停下來，回頭對梅特羅比烏斯說： 你換好衣服就上三榻餐廳，我在那邊等你。 我可不願意牽連到這種不體面的事情中去，老戲子一面向指定給客人換衣服的房間走，一面想。這昏頭昏腦的女瘋子什麼事情都做得出來的我真害怕，天知道她會幹出什麼勾當來啊！ 梅特羅比烏斯一會兒就換好了衣服，向三榻餐廳走去，那兒正擺著一席豐盛的晚餐，等待著他去享用。美味的食物和醇厚的法烈倫酒，使這位勇敢的男人忘記了倒楣的旅行，而且把他剛才所想的災難快要降臨的不幸預感，驅除得乾乾淨淨。 他還沒有吃完晚餐，那臉色慘白但是神態非常鎮靜的愛芙姬琵達已經來到了三榻餐廳。她手裡拿著一封用塗黑了的羊皮紙包起來的信。信外面用麻線紮得很緊，線結那兒還打上了封口的蠟印。蠟印上面是一個從浪花中誕生的維納斯女神像。 梅特羅比烏斯一看到那封信就有些不自在，他問： 天下最美麗的愛芙姬琵達我很願意我很想知道你這封信是寄給哪一位的？ 你怎麼還要問我？自然是寄給盧齊烏斯．Cornelius.蘇拉的囉 啊，我對摩穆斯神的假面具發誓，我的孩子，我們不能這麼著急，最好是把我們的決定仔細考慮一下。 我們的決定？這跟你有什麼相干？ 但是，偉大的、最最仁慈的朱庇特幫助我！如果蘇拉對別人干涉他的私事感到不滿，那會怎麼樣呢！如果他不去對付自己的妻子反而對我們告密的人大發雷霆，那又怎麼辦？甚至，比這更糟而且很可能是這樣他會不會遷怒到所有的人身上呢？ 可是這對我有什麼關係？ 唔，但是這麼說可是我的孩子，謹慎小心總不會錯。蘇拉的發怒，對你來說也許毫無關係但是對我來說，卻是很重要的 可是誰稀罕你這樣的人呢？ 我，我自己！我的美麗的、神和人都覺得可愛的愛芙姬琵達呀！梅特羅比烏斯憤激地說。I!我非常愛自己呢！ 可是在信上我並沒有提起你的名字不論發生什麼變故，都跟你沒有關係。 我明白我非常明白但是我的孩子，難道你不知道我跟蘇拉親近了三十年呀 我知道，我知道甚至比你光榮的名譽所必需的還要親近呢！ 這是沒有什麼用處的我很知道這頭野獸那就是就是這個人不論我們之間有多少年的交情，他還是會把我的腦袋像殺雞那樣一下子揪下來的，事後他會下令用隆重的葬禮來尊敬我的屍骸，並且叫五十對角鬥士在焚毀我屍骸的火堆旁進行角鬥。可是，不幸得很，我已經不能親自來欣賞我的哀榮和殉葬的角鬥表演了！ 不用害怕，不用害怕，愛芙姬琵達說，你絕不會碰到什麼禍事的。 但願我一向尊崇的神都來保佑我！ 可是現在你還是頌揚酒神巴珂斯，喝乾一大杯五十年的法烈倫陳酒來慶賀他吧。我親自來給你敬酒。 於是她拿起酒壺把法烈倫酒斟到這個老戲子的杯子裡去。 那時候，一個穿上旅行裝束的奴隸進了三榻餐廳。 記住我的話，狄摩菲爾。從這兒直到庫瑪，不許在任何地方耽擱！ 那奴隸從愛芙姬琵達的手中接過信來，把它揣在襯衫和上衣之間的懷裡，繫緊了腰間的帶子。接著，他跟女主人道了別，轉過身子裹起大氅，走了出去。 法烈倫酒使老戲子鬆開了舌頭，他又開始竭力訴說自己的恐懼。但是愛芙姬琵達終於使梅特羅比烏斯安靜了下來。她跟他約定下一天再見面，就出了三榻餐廳回到密室裡去。盧克列梯烏斯正在那兒拿著那塊蠟板一遍又一遍地唸著他才寫的詩。 對不起，我來得太遲了可是，我看你並沒有浪費時間。把你的詩唸給我聽吧。我知道你能夠作詩，而且能夠作極好的好詩。 你和今晚在外面逞威的暴風雨，使我獲得了靈感你說得對，我應當把這些詩首先唸給你聽。然後，當我回到家裡去時，對著暴風雨去唸。 盧克列梯烏斯站了起來，用非常文雅的態度朗誦道： 暴風猛烈地鞭打海浪， 毀滅巨大的船舶，驅散天空的烏雲， 急疾地捲旋著馳過原野， 吹倒大樹，刮上峻峭的山頂， 猛烈地震撼森林； 暴風，發瘋也似地猛烈吹刮，呼嘯著，發出可怕的隆隆聲。 所以，風雖是物體，但只憑我們的眼睛卻看不見； 它能捲起塵土和海水， 狂暴地捲旋和拖曳天空中的烏雲。 它們在空中流動無堅不摧， 猶如性質柔軟的水。 浩蕩的大河由於暴雨連綿而猛漲， 瀑布又從高山絕頂往下傾瀉， 它會沖垮森林，帶走斷株殘幹。 甚至堅牢的橋梁也抵擋不住水流的猛烈衝擊； 當山上的溪澗被暴雨所充溢， 就會以不可阻遏的力量往下疾瀉，沖垮橋墩和木樁。 急流發出怒吼毀滅一切， 它能沖走水底的大石，用巨浪掃除一切障礙。 一陣陣猛刮的狂風恰如強大的急流， 當它們向任何方向逸出常軌，就會一陣又一陣向前猛吹， 把進路上的一切加以驅逐和摧毀， 或者就是掀起猛烈旋轉的颶風， 把一切迅疾地攫住和捲走。 我們已經說過，愛芙姬琵達是一個希臘女人，而且又是一個受過很好教育的希臘女人。因此她不能不感覺到，也不能不讚賞這首詩的力量、美以及和諧的藝術價值，尤其是在當時拉丁文還發展得不夠完善，除了愛尼烏斯、普勞杜斯、盧齊里烏斯和台倫齊烏斯之外就沒有別的享有盛譽的詩人了。 愛芙姬琵達用充滿了真摯感情的話對他大加讚賞，因而他在跟她告別的時候微笑地說： 你得為了你的歡樂把這塊蠟板給我作為酬報：我把它帶走了。 可是你得在把詩抄到紙上以後，馬上親自把它送還給我。 盧克列梯烏斯在答應了愛芙姬琵達很快就上她這兒來以後，就走了。他的心靈裡縈繞著他剛剛完成的詩，這是他觀察大自然的結果，因此使這首詩充滿了強烈磅礴的氣勢和充沛的感情。 愛芙姬琵達似乎非常滿意。她由阿斯巴茜雅陪伴著向自己的寢室走去，她決定在臨睡之前痛痛快快地想像和咀嚼一下那具有說不出的快樂的復仇滋味。但是，結果使她大為驚奇，原來這一快樂的滋味，並不像她想像中那麼完滿美妙，她只感到極其貧乏的一點兒滿足。尤其是當她上床睡覺以後，腦子裡反而突然充滿了她所完全意料不到的種種念頭。她命令阿斯巴茜雅出去，讓燈仍舊點燃下去，只是把燈光弄得略微幽暗些。 她把她所幹的事情一樁又一樁地加以回想，而且想像著她那封信可能引起的種種後果。很可能，蘇拉會把自己的怒火一直抑制到深夜，在他發現他們互相擁抱在一起的時候，把他們兩個人統統殺死 當愛芙姬琵達一想到她很快就可以聽到范萊麗雅的死亡和她可恥行為的消息，她的心靈中就充滿了狂喜，這把到現在還在折磨她的痛苦的嫉妒心也沖淡了；那個目空一切的驕傲的范萊麗雅，不把她愛芙姬琵達看在眼裡的貴婦人，原來竟是一個邪惡、下賤而且偽善的女人；她的罪惡和過錯，比她愛芙姬琵達還要大上千萬倍呢。但是，當這位名妓一想到斯巴達克斯，她的感情就完全起了變化。愛芙姬琵達在自己的想像中竭力為他的行為辯護，她在仔細地考慮以後甚至斷定：比起范萊麗雅來，色雷斯人的罪行要小得多。畢竟，他只是一個可憐的釋放角鬥士，而蘇拉夫人，即使長得並不好看，在他的眼中也會變成天仙美女。這個下賤女人一定用種種媚功把他整個兒迷住了，她使他無力抵擋她的進攻事情一定是這樣，不會有別的可能。難道一個角鬥士敢自動覬覦蘇拉夫人嗎？而可憐的斯巴達克斯在獲得她的愛情以後，自然就完全落到她的手掌中了，他已經不能而且連一剎那也不敢去想另一個女人和另一個女人的愛情了。現在斯巴達克斯的死，愛芙姬琵達已經不認為是應得的報應了不，這已是她不論用什麼理由都不能替自己辯護的了。 愛芙姬琵達躺了好久都沒能睡著，她從這邊到那邊翻來覆去地轉動著身子。她的腦子裡充滿了種種悲慘的念頭，心中懷著極其矛盾的感情，她痛苦地嘆著氣，被可怕的想像嚇得索索發抖。她常常被疲乏所征服而睡著，但接著又猛地驚醒，重新在床上翻來覆去地轉動。直到最後才算勉強睡著了，卻又做起可怕的夢來。房間裡靜寂了一會兒，只聽見她那斷斷續續的呼吸聲。突然，愛芙姬琵達跳了起來，她恐怖地用哽咽的聲音喊道： 不，斯巴達克斯！不，殺死你的人不是我而是她你