THE HERMIT'S SACRIFICE.
67
Fainter grew the yells of tigers,
And the lions' dreadful roar.
And the lions' dreadful roar.
On the crimson-stained arena
Lay the victims of the fight;
Eyes which once had glared with anguish
Lost in death their baleful light.
Lay the victims of the fight;
Eyes which once had glared with anguish
Lost in death their baleful light.
Then uprose the gladiators.
Armed for conflict unto death,
Waiting for the prefect's signal.
Cold and stern with bated breath.
Armed for conflict unto death,
Waiting for the prefect's signal.
Cold and stern with bated breath.
"Ave Cesar, morituri,
Te, salutant," rose the cry
From the lips of men ill-fated,
Doomed to suffer and to die.
Te, salutant," rose the cry
From the lips of men ill-fated,
Doomed to suffer and to die.
Then began the dreadful contest.
Lives like chaff were thrown away,
Rome with all her pride and power
Butchered for a holiday.
Lives like chaff were thrown away,
Rome with all her pride and power
Butchered for a holiday.
Eagerly the crowd were waiting,
Loud the clashing sabres rang,
When between the gladiators
All unarmed a hermit sprang,
Loud the clashing sabres rang,
When between the gladiators
All unarmed a hermit sprang,
