fourth stood the elevated throne of Theodoric.

The Prince ascended the steps of the throne with dignity. Cethegus with
Belisarius, Bessas, Demetrius, Johannes, and numerous other leaders,
remained standing at a short distance.

"In the name of my Imperial master and uncle, I take possession of this
city of Ravenna and of the Western Roman Empire," said Germanus. "To
you, magister militum, this writing from our master the Emperor. Break
the seal, and read it before the assembly. Such were the orders of
Justinian."

Belisarius stepped forward, received the letter upon his knees, kissed
the seal, rose, opened it, and read:

"'Justinian, Emperior of the Romans, Lord of the East and West,
conqueror of the Persians and Saracens, of the Vandals and Alans, of
the Lazians and Sabirians, of the Huns and Bulgarians, the Avarians and
Slavonians, and lastly of the Goths, to Belisarius the Consul, lately
magister militum. We have been acquainted by Cethegus the Prefect with
the events which led to the fall of Ravenna. His report will, at his
request, be communicated to you. We, however, cannot at all agree with
the good opinion, therein expressed, of you and your successes; and we
dispense you from your office as commander-in-chief. We order you by
this letter to return at once to Byzantium, to answer for yourself
before our throne. We can the less accord you a triumph, such as you
received after the Vandal wars, because neither Rome nor Ravenna fell
through your valour; Rome having freely capitulated, and Ravenna having
fallen by means of an earthquake, which was a sign of the anger of the
Almighty against the heretics, and against highly suspicious actions,
the harmlessness of which you, accused of high treason, must prove
before our throne. As, in consideration of former merit, we would not
condemn you unheard--for East and West shall celebrate us to all
time as the King of Justice--we refrain from arresting you as your
accusers wish. Without chains--only bound by the fetters of your own
self-accusing conscience--you will appear before our Imperial
countenance.'"

Belisarius reeled; he could read no further; he covered his face with
his hands and let the letter fall.

Bessas lifted it up, kissed it, and read on:

"'We name the strategist Bessas as your successor in the army. We
charge the Archon Johannes with the care of Ravenna. The administration
of the taxes will remain--in spite of the highly unjust complaints made