Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/acaptiveromanea00dahngoog 2. Footnote is at the end of the book. 3. Diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
A CAPTIVE OF THE ROMAN EAGLES
A Captive of the Roman Eagles
_By_ FELIX DAHN
Translated from the German by Mary J. Safford
TRANSLATOR OF "Aspasia," "Cleopatra," etc.
Chicago A. C. McClurg & Co. 1902
COPYRIGHT A. C. McCLURG & CO. 1902 PUBLISHED Sept. 13, 1902
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
The author of the romance "A Captive of the Roman Eagles"--published in Germany under the title of "Bissula"--is one of the most distinguished novelists of the present day in his own country, and will doubtless be equally appreciated by Americans.
Like Dr. Georg Ebers, he has based his historical novels upon the solid foundation of earnest study. The field he has chosen is principally the period of the conflicts between Germany and Rome, and the struggles for supremacy of the various peoples in the territory now occupied by Germany, Switzerland, and France, and he describes with vivid colors and dramatic power the life of those far-off days.
Professor Dahn is a native of Hamburg, but spent his childhood in Munich, always a centre of intellectual life, and, under the stimulus of its circle of writers, his poetic talent developed early. He studied law, philosophy, and history in Munich and Berlin. In 1862 he was made Professor in the University of Wurzburg, in 1872 in Koenigsberg, and in 1888 he was called to a chair in the University of Breslau, where, in the intervals of his professional duties, he has devoted himself to his brilliant literary work.
The warm welcome accorded to my translations of the novels of Ebers, whose hold upon the affections of American readers has proved so enduring, inspires the hope that "A Captive of the Roman Eagles" may also receive a cordial recognition from our public.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Captive of the Roman Eagles by Felix Dahn
- 2: Windisch Vindonissa to Arbon Arbor Felix
- 3: For the attack was directed against only the Linzgau
- 4: And stationed in the harbor a number of ships
- 5: And a little band of Batavian spearmen followed
- 6: Said Herculanus with a smile intended to be pleasant
- 7: Aided by the handle of his spear
- 8: Bruna seeks my little maid and Zercho the bondman
- 9: Calmly going on with her spinning
- 10: High among the topmost boughs of the lofty tree
- 11: Half of mischievous wilfulness
- 12: That the elves of light dwell above our heads
- 13: Would arrogance bring me here with this entreaty
- 14: The red heather blossom alone must adorn my life
- 15: Perhaps the foe will not injure you
- 16: And their comrades in Arbon had the fleet ready
- 17: The vial of poison you gave me
- 18: For Ausonius had been professor
- 19: Replied Herculanus reprovingly
- 20: But Ausonius replied kindly Certainly
- 21: Growled the Illyrian under his breath
- 22: Herculanus did not enter into the jest
- 23: And when I told her that in my home on the Garumna were far
- 24: Encircled by a poisonous serpent
- 25: Commander in chief of the Alemanni
- 26: Recently abolished the Vestals
- 27: Bissula will also surrender to Ausonius
- 28: But Ausonius stretched himself on his camp bed
- 29: Herculanus searched everywhere carefully
- 30: The Roman followed the footprints with eager zeal
- 31: Something rustled under the thick grass
- 32: Where Ausonius had halted his mounted escort
- 33: Strengthened by earth and turf
- 34: But just before we reached the hay hut
- 35: Replied the Sarmatian evasively
- 36: Who will defend her from Ausonius
- 37: Guard yourself from consuming anxiety
- 38: Outside of the Duke's tent also a huge fire was blazing
- 39: He gently raised his spear and
- 40: One man must rule the Alemanni
- 41: But meanwhile Meanwhile I counsel you to obey
- 42: And the Romans as often broken
- 43: Added He is dedicated to Odin
- 44: Zercho made a wry face and rubbed his ear
- 45: But he took his prisoner to Ausonius
- 46: If such a spirit lives in the Alemanni
- 47: On returning to the camp Ausonius entreated his friend
- 48: Ausonius sends greetings to his Paulus
- 49: I have repeatedly found her there
- 50: Before the kalends of september
- 51: Her loving brother who rejoices in her beauty
- 52: If I really decide to take her with me to Burdigala
- 53: Ausonius said reproachfully to his nephew
- 54: For at that time the Batavians and Alemanni
- 55: Ausonius was the first to find words
- 56: Then Rignomer the Batavian will relieve you
- 57: What do I care for these Alemanni
- 58: He could scarcely be seen from the watchfire
- 59: Saturninus cast a significant glance at the Prefect
- 60: It is not wantonness that impels us
- 61: Ausonius was about to utter a refusal
- 62: But he controlled himself and only cast a look at Herculanus
- 63: Was passed to the two Alemanni also
- 64: The Sarmatian looked thoughtful
- 65: The Thracian spearmen were coming to relieve the Batavians
- 66: To report myself for punishment
- 67: Who wear brown mantles the only ones
- 68: At the same time making a sign to Rignomer
- 69: Zercho and Sippilo came hurrying into the tent
- 70: All the baggage also piled at the Porta Decumana
- 71: But Zercho shook his unkempt head
- 72: But Zercho Zercho no longer suits the steppe
- 73: He must be bound with willow withes
- 74: Addressed to Saturninus and Ausonius
- 75: With this helmet and clad in full armor
- 76: With black runes inscribed upon it
- 77: Replied the fisherman sorrowfully
- 78: Zio demands blood upon the stone of sacrifice
- 79: Chosen by all the Alemanni Duke for this summer's Roman war
- 80: As its own doth hold thee The Alemanni army
- 81: I accuse King Ebarbold of oath breaking
- 82: Dedicated me to your savage Odin
- 83: Bear him to himself in Valhalla
- 84: Saying I swear by this blade
- 85: And blue streamers fluttered from the cross poles
- 86: Before the eyes of the unarmed people
- 87: Be dedicated to Odin and to Zio
- 88: If it happen to be the turn of the Batavians
- 89: I have secretly won as allies the Hermunduri
- 90: From the Linden Island behind Brigantium
- 91: Will gather all the districts of the Alemanni under his rule
- 92: Perceived characters scrawled on it
- 93: Should she appeal to Ausonius again
- 94: Had she prevented Bruna from attacking him
- 95: Put it in the Emperor's goblet
- 96: He asked the freedman impatiently
- 97: Herculanus could not move forward an inch
- 98: Seized Herculanus and the slave
- 99: Cried Herculanus with an angry laugh
- 100: Of a guardian angel which God gives to mortals
- 101: But Saturninus gently caught her by the hair
- 102: Ausonius was deeply grateful to his preserver
- 103: Ausonius yielded reluctantly as the Tribune
- 104: Saturninus would have tried to soothe the excited man
- 105: Whole swarms of the little Barbarian boats
- 106: A naval battle on Lake Venetia
- 107: I will search the two reedy lakes for you
- 108: Whose like Rignomer had never seen
- 109: About thirty mounted men leaped into the ditch
- 110: Without loosing her hold of Bruna
- 111: Looking up she saw Zercho and Sippilo who
- 112: Help at the Porta Principalis Sinistra
- 113: Into the long central street which led to the Porta Decumana
- 114: With many hundred carts and wagons
- 115: While the Tribune hastened onward
- 116: Herculanus was mistaken Ausonius was not slain
- 117: Shouted loudly from the ranks of the Barbarians
- 118: Pressing close upon Saturninus
- 119: He fell upon the rear of the Romans commanded by Decius
- 120: And the blazing ships before them
- 121: She attempted to join the pursuing Alemanni
- 122: She held the helmet sideways to his bearded lips
- 123: Herculanus leaped into the ditch
- 124: Two boats of the Alemanni side by side
- 125: The old Roman colonist from Arbor
- 126: At the starboard side of his bireme
- 127: With the biremes blazing before his eyes
- 128: Smoke and flames are rising in Arbor
- 129: Then Rignomer instantly obeyed
- 130: He commands you to hasten at once to Vindonissa
- 131: Her first glance rested on the Prefect
- 132: Before Ausonius could stop her
- 133: Where Rignomer was already standing
- 134: From here the tracks go directly to the hall
- 135: Beside the wounded man was Bruna
