Selections from the Writings of John Mason Neale

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1887. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... A.D. 404. The blood of the martyrs had triumphed. God had heard the prayers of the souls under the Heavenly Altar. Idol temples were everywhere falling to ruin; idol sacrifices were scarcely known. Eighty years had passed since Constantine had seen that glorious Cross which led him to victory; and though Julian the Apostate, fighting against God, had for a little while restored the worship of devils, he had gone to his account; and the faith of the Crucified prevailed far and wide. But just as after a storm at sea, though the wind may have been hushed, and the clouds may have fled, still the long waves come rolling in, and there is not yet calm: so many of the evil habits and customs of heathenism still clung to those who were no longer heathens; and required time, and courage, and faith before they could be put away. Now, then, my story must take you to Rome on a fine December morning, four hundred and four years after the birth of our Lord. The great city was full of joy and activity. Multitudes were pouring down every street, but all hurrying in one direction; shops were shut; ladies were borne along by their slaves in rich litters; patricians sweeping onward with their long train of dependants. Look! there is one of the Consuls, the fasces (the axe in a bundle of rods) borne before him by the lictor as in the old times; by the side of that house which is being rebuilt, a placard is fixed; and a number of the lower tradesmen are gathered round to read it. It sets forth that, on the tenth of the Kalends of January, at the third hour, there will be a great show of gladiators, Marcus Trebellius Pollio, Editor (that is, provider and arranger of the spectacle). And then follows a long list of famous gladiators, and how they are to be matched: all which things woul...