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The son of Medon strode quickly through the mob, many of whom recognized his features and profession. 'That is young Lydon, a brave fellow: he fights to-morrow, said one. 'Ah! I have a bet on him, said another; 'see how firmly he walks! 'Good luck to thee, Lydon! said a third. 'A handsome man, by Venus! cried a fifth, who was a girl scarce in her teens.
No I trust my hour is not yet come. 'He who plays at dice with death must expect the dog's throw, replied Sosia, maliciously. 'But you are a strong fellow, and I wish you all imaginable luck; and so, vale! With that the slave turned on his heel, and took his way homeward. 'I trust the rogue's words are not ominous, said Lydon, musingly.
Ha, ha! see how he rallies! That was a home stroke: he has cut open Lydon's shoulder. A Tetraides! a Tetraides! 'But Lydon is not disheartened. By Pollux! how well he keeps his temper. See how dexterously he avoids those hammer-like hands! dodging now here, now there circling round and round. Ah, poor Lydon! he has it again. 'Three to one still on Tetraides! What say you, Lepidus?
I never saw this hero before'; and he glanced at Lydon, whose limbs were slighter than those of his companions, and who had something of grace, and something even of nobleness, in his face, which his profession had not yet wholly destroyed. 'It is Lydon, a youngster, practised only with the wooden sword as yet, answered Niger, condescendingly.
'Is he thy son said a brawny fellow to the right of the Nazarene; 'he has fought well: let us see how he does by-and-by. Hark! he is to fight the first victor. Now, old boy, pray the gods that that victor be neither of the Romans! nor, next to them, the giant Niger. The old man sat down again and covered his face. The fray for the moment was indifferent to him Lydon was not one of the combatants.
Tetraides struck it was as the blow of a smith on a vise; Lydon sank suddenly on one knee the blow passed over his head. Not so harmless was Lydon's retaliation; he quickly sprang to his feet, and aimed his cestus full on the broad chest of his antagonist. Tetraides reeled the populace shouted....
Among these the skill of two Roman gladiators, hired for the occasion, was the most admired; and next to them the most graceful combatant was Lydon.
"Well nine sestertia to three be it so! What! again Lydon. He stops he gasps for breath. By the gods, he is down! No he is again on his legs. Brave Lydon! Tetraides is encouraged he laughs loud he rushes on him." "Fool success blinds him he should be cautious. Lydon's eye is like a lynx's!" said Clodius, between his teeth. "Ha, Clodius! saw you that? Your man totters!
The ædile paused, and proclaimed aloud that as Niger's wound disabled him from again entering the arena, Lydon was to be the successor to the slaughtered Nepimus and the new combatant of Eumolpus. "Yet, Lydon," added he, "if thou wouldst decline the combat with one so brave and tried, thou mayst have full liberty to do so. Eumolpus is not the antagonist that was originally decreed for thee.
Another blow he falls he falls!" "Earth revives him then. He is once more up; but the blood rolls down his face." "By the Thunderer! Lydon wins it. See how he presses on him! That blow on the temple would have crushed an ox! it has crushed Tetraides. He falls again he cannot move habet! habet!" "Habet!" repeated Pansa. "Take them out and give them the armor and swords." ...
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