The wild strain ceased, and with it the clang of the hammers, the bars of
steel being already beaten into the form of those short massive two-edged
blades, which were the Roman's national and all victorious weapon. But, as
it ceased, a deep stern hum of approbation followed, elicited probably by
some real or fancied similitude between the imagery of the song, and the
circumstances of the auditors, who were to a man of the lowest order of
plebeians, taught from their cradles to regard the nobles, and perhaps
with too much cause, as their natural enemies and oppressors. When the
brief applause was at an end, one of the elder bystanders addressed the
principal workman, at the forge, in a low voice.

"You are incautious, Caius Crispus, to sing such songs as this, and at
such a time, too."

"Tush, Bassus," answered the other, "it is you who are too timid. What
harm is there, I should like to know, in singing an old Greek song done
into Latin words? I like the rumbling measure, for my part; it suits well
with the clash and clang of our rude trade. For the song, there is no
offence in it; and, for the time, it is a very good time; and, to poor men
like us, a better time is coming!"

"Oh! well said. May it be so!" exclaimed several voices in reply to the
stout smith's sharp words.

But the old man was not so easily satisfied, for he answered at once. "If
any of the nobles heard it, they would soon find offence in it, my Caius!"

"Oh! the nobles--the nobles, and the Fathers! I am tired of hearing of the
nobles. For my part, I do not see what makes them noble. Are they a whit
stronger, or braver, or better man than I, or Marcus here, or any of us? I
trow not."

"Wiser--they are at least wiser, Caius," said the old man once more, "in
this, if in nothing else, that they keep their own councils, and stand by
their own order."

"Aye! in oppressing the poor!" replied a new speaker.

"Right, Marcus," said a second; "let them wrangle as much as they may with
one another, for their dice, their women, or their wine; in this at least
they all agree, in trampling down the poor."

"There is a good time coming," replied the smith; "and it is very near at
hand. Now, Niger," he continued, addressing one of his workmen, "carry
these blades down to the lower workshop; let Rufus fit them instantly with
horn handles; and then, see you to their grinding! Never heed polishing
them very much, but give them right keen edges, and good stabbing