Quo Vadis Page #11

This is none of your doing.

I carry my share of the blame.

We knew they were looking for you,

but we had no way to send warning.

This is a sad reward for your friendship.

Marcus, I once accused you bitterly.

I'm proved wrong.

It's no triumph for me to find you here.

General Plautius, l...

The lions!

It is the lions.

No, no, please, God!

No, I can't stand...

No, dear, no.

We must be strong in him, in each other.

Where is he, then?

If he is so all-powerful as you say,

why do we find ourselves here?

My friend, stand firm.

My two babies and all of our children

to be sold into slavery.

Is that what the redeemer promised us?

Only by strength in faith

will we be able to endure the ordeal.

I thank God Peter and Paul were spared.

But I miss their spirit and their courage.

I think it's going to rain.

We'd better look for a place

to take shelter.

Peter, don't you think so?

What troubles you?

You've hardly said anything all morning.

Oh, I'm sorry, Nazarius.

Are you very tired?

Oh, my mind is as heavy as my body.

There is something wrong,

with our people, perhaps.

I do not know.

It is at such times

I need our Lord's counsel.

There is within me a decision

that I cannot find.

If only he would speak to me, l...

Look, those treetops there,

they do not bend with the wind.

Yes, that is so.

And that sudden brightness coming,

do you see it, Nazarius?

It is the light of the Lord.

I have seen it.

Christ Jesus, you are here.

What is wrong, O Lord?

What should I do?

I am weary.

How should I follow thee now?

Whither goest thou, Lord?

My people in Rome have need of thee.

What did you say, Nazarius?

My people in Rome have need of thee.

If thou desert my people...

...I shall go to Rome

to be crucified a second time.

Nazarius, blessed child, speak on.

Speak.

Oh, Peter, you've stumbled. Here.

The words you said, say them again.

I didn't say anything.

You said, "If thou desert my people...

...I shall go to Rome

to be crucified a second time. "

But I said nothing.

Yes.

He has again spoken to me.

Come, Nazarius.

Where are you going?

To Rome.

I have invited you here tonight,

my friends...

...you who have been steadfast

through the years.

That you have come

proves not only your recklessness...

...but your devotion.

You pay us too much respect.

We know you have the wit

to bring yourself into his favor again.

No.

Tigellinus has won.

Nero, our master...

...is at the moment

anticipating how he will make me suffer.

But I shall deprive him of that pleasure.

This is an evening of farewells.

Where will you go, my lord?

Your lord?

You've called me that for long enough.

My name is Gaius.

And you've worn this emblem of slavery

for far too long.

Henceforth, you are legally free.

And this villa, with its treasures,

its slaves, its gardens, will be yours.

Why do you say this?

Because this evening,

with its warmth and feeling...

...this evening is my signature.

The last flourish.

Tell the physician to come in.

It is not enough to live well.

One must die well.

No, my lord.

No. Please don't let him.

I understand the Christians say that

death is but a transition to a better life.

It will be interesting to discover.

Oh, my lord.

My dear, no tears before our guests.

Petronius...

If the Christians are right,

this will be but a brief parting.

We can't...We can't part.

Eunice.

Did you think I could live without you?

No, no. Bind her wrist.

For the first time, Gaius, I disobey you.

What have I done that forever I should

hear the sweet thunder of your heart?

You have given me your love.

And now, my friends,

I wish to write a letter to our emperor.

Scribe?

Will you permit me?

Let us hear it, Petronius.

To Nero, emperor of Rome...

...master of the world, divine pontiff.

I know that my death

will be a disappointment to you...

...since you wished to render me

this service yourself.

To be born in your reign

is a miscalculation...

...but to die in it is a joy.

I can forgive you for murdering your wife

and your mother...

...for burning our beloved Rome,

for befouling our fair country...

...with the stench of your crimes.

But one thing I cannot forgive...

...the boredom

of having to listen to your verses...

...your second-rate songs,

your mediocre performances.

Adhere to your special gifts, Nero.

Murder and arson, betrayal and terror.

Mutilate your subjects, if you must.

But with my last breath, I beg you,

do not mutilate the arts.

Farewell, but compose no more music.

Brutalize the people...

...but do not bore them...

...as you have bored to death

your friend...

...the late Gaius Petronius.

Seneca, I entrust to you

the delivery of this letter.

I will deliver it.

Farewell, Petronius.

With you perishes the best

of our Roman world.

Petronius?

Dead?

By his own hand?

- I don't believe it.

- I witnessed it, Divinity.

I shall never forgive him for this.

Never!

Without my permission?

It's rebellion.

It's blasphemy.

He left you a message of farewell.

Then he did think of me.

His last thoughts were of me.

How I loved you, Petronius.

You were my one friend.

You alone understood my soul.

Tigellinus, the weeping vase.

Who will listen to my songs now?

Who will appreciate

the true value of my verses?

I weep for you, Petronius.

One tear for you.

One for me.

Seal up these fruits of my sorrow...

...so that posterity may know

how Nero grieved for his dearest friend...

...and truest critic.

And now for his tender words.

Destroy!

Destroy his house, every stone to dust.

Burn his books.

Slaughter his animals.

Kill his servants.

Male, female, eunuch, every one of them.

Beat his memory into the ground!

Where is the emperor?

Let Nero start the game.

The lions are getting hungry.

Bring on those house burners.

They're crying for blood.

I doubt if we can chance anything today.

Nothing will change

the temper of this mob.

Have you heard any news

of the commander?

Only that he's been taken, that's all.

O holy gods of Rome...

...in the name of Nero,

emperor and supreme pontiff...

...we beseech you

to receive in sacrifice...

...the lives

of those who sought to destroy...

...this sacred and eternal city.

Have strength as he did.

It will not be long.

Oh, dear Lord Jesus, help them.

Help them.

Don't.

Don't torture yourself.

I'll be as close to her as I can.

You may give the signal, Divinity.

Peace to the martyrs!

Peter.

Peace, peace to them.

Take thy children, Lord.

Numb their wounds, soften their pains.

Give them strength, O savior.

Seize that man.

Blessed are you, my children,

who die in the name of Jesus.

I say to you that this day...

...you shall be with him in paradise.

Here, where Nero rules today,

Christ shall rule forever.

Who is that man?

I think he is their leader,

a man called Peter.

He escaped us before.

But he said Christ would replace me.

What sort of...?

They're singing.

These dogs have effrontery even in death.

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