Zenon, the Martyr (Volume 1); A Record of the Piety, Patience, and Persecution of the Early Christian Nobles - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. THE CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION. While this scone was acting in the palace of Domitian, a widely different one took place in the house of Flavius Clemens. There, actually in chains, sat in the presence of two noble ladies, the very being whose conduct was then impeached by the Emperor. A contrast, indeed, to the proud tyrant who was then inventing instruments of death in his heart, to torture the innocent man who unconsciously had provoked his wrath, and who merited only his esteem. Zenon, however, was not embarrassed. He seemed even more graceful, honourable, noble, and engaging, thus enduring misfortune, than when he had first entered the atrium of his friend. He was seated in the ccenaculum, and partook with cheerfulness of the repast placed before him. His conversation, too, was elevated, natural, and easy, though it must be confessed that, under the virtuous restraint of Roman manners, the hearts of those worthy ladies fluttered for the imminent danger in which their guest was placed. Well did that royal female know the temper and habits of her uncle. She knew his disposition so well that she felt convinced she was holding converse with one whom she could scarcely expect ever to see again. The very circumstances under which he was then seated naturally led to seriousness of conversation. A female heart can never he closed against pity for the condemned or the proscribed, even when it owns the justice of # the judgment pronounced; but, when unmerited death threatens the good and just, theinnocent and noble-minded, pity then becomes such an absorbing feeling as to create a sort of veneration more pure than mere mortal admiration. The virtuous Flavia Domitilla and the not less virtuous Flaminia seemed exalted, by the composed dignity of their gue...