Quo Vadis Page #6

that not only lacks dignity...

...but these Christians

are known to be resourceful.

An open display of force will only bury

your little hostage deeper in the nest.

What do you suggest?

That I join the scurvy group?

Listen, I know of a Greek,

a man called Chilo.

He's a self-styled soothsayer,

astrologer, and diviner of mysteries.

I've no doubt he'd show the way

to your escaped Lygia before nightfall.

- Anaxander?

- Yes, master?

You know the house of Chilo?

- Yes, master.

- My nephew has urgent business there.

- Escort him.

- Yes, master.

Well, your advice has certain merit.

I'll give your Greek a chance.

- Lf you find her, bring her to Antium.

- I'll send you word.

You have heard, Eunice?

Is not love a madness?

Do not ask me, lord.

I am among the mad.

You love someone?

It was once prophesied

by an old woman...

...that both pain and happiness

would visit me.

That's a safe prophesy about any human.

She spoke a rhyme, in which she said

my true fate was hidden.

Well?

Anon shall Venus rise

From out the violet Roman sea

And bear two lovers in her arms

Towards eternity

Whom do you love? Anaxander?

Mirmillon?

Oh, your beloved is not of this house?

He is, my lord.

What if I said that today you should go

with me to the violet Roman sea?

I'd swoon with happiness.

Only you haven't said it, my lord.

Then go ready yourself for Antium.

- You haven't yet swooned.

- I have no time, my lord.

I have no time. I have no time.

Yes, yes.

Hearing all this, I vow you've come

to the right man, Marcus Vinicius.

Speak. Can you find this girl?

Patience, lord. I must first verify

if she is truly of this Christian breed.

- My lord, do you read Greek?

- Passably.

Iook here, then. What does that say?

- "Jesus Christ, Son of God, savior."

- Exactly.

So it's the name of their dead God.

I've seen no such symbols.

Ah, but observe the first letters

of each word.

What do they spell?

L- C-T-H-U-S, icthus.

The Greek word for fish.

Have you seen the symbol of a fish

in all this?

Fish, why should I have seen a...?

- She once drew one.

- Aha. Their sign of recognition.

Fish are caught with a bait

and Christians with a fish.

How do I find her?

Where are the gatherings?

They practice foul rites at night...

...in certain caves

and old ruins outside the city.

- Is there a gathering tonight?

- Possibly, lord.

But it is most dangerous.

There are hundreds of them.

I'll hire Croton the gladiator

to protect you. Does that suit?

Croton? Why, yes, lord.

We'll meet you here at sundown.

But, my lord, I shall need other arms.

A small weapon in advance, perhaps?

You see how they gather, lord?

In stealth, like thieves and murderers.

- That's the man I met at her house.

- Yes, she's here, without a doubt, lord.

I baptize thee in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

- What's he doing now?

- They call it baptism.

An evil bath of black water.

I know there are some here

who still hold back in doubt.

A few who have not accepted baptism.

Our lord Jesus understood that...

...and he welcomed questions,

as the right of free men.

But at last, there is one among us tonight

for whom we have long waited.

Who was there when the people

gathered about Christ and questioned him.

Who heard the answers

from his own lips.

A man who saw the face of Jesus

and touched his hand.

He comes from Jerusalem.

The fisherman, Simon, called Peter.

The first apostle of our lord.

Unworthy though I am, Jesus said to me:

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock

I will build my church. "

He has guided my feet to Rome...

...so that together

we can begin to build his church here.

I give thanks for the faith you have in him

whom you have never seen...

...but whose voice you have heard

and answered in your hearts.

I heard his voice by the Sea of Galilee.

My brothers and I were fishermen.

All the night through we had been fishing

and had caught nothing.

We were cold and very tired.

As our boat was coming into the shore,

I heard someone call my name.

I looked up and a man stood there.

At the sight of him, the cold and

weariness left me, my heart grew light.

I answered, "Yes, friend?"

He called and asked

that he might come into our boat...

...so he could speak better to the people

who were pressing around him on shore.

We bade him enter.

He spoke to the people

about the kingdom of heaven at hand.

Suddenly, my heart leapt in my breast and

I knew that he was the Christ to come.

When he had finished, he said to me:

"Go out into deep waters

and let down your nets. "

In a moment,

the nets were full as if by a miracle.

He looked at my wonderment and said:

"Do not be afraid. From henceforth,

you shall be a fisher of men. "

He told me to follow him, and I did.

I and my brothers, James and John.

Throughout the length and breadth

of the land, we followed him.

Others joined us until

besides himself, we were 12.

To the hungry and thirsty,

he gave food and drink.

To those who were sick and worn

and weary, he gave hope and peace.

Who but the Son of God

could have brought such gifts to man?

Who but the Son of God could have

commanded the storm to be calm?

Who but he could have raised

lazarus of Bethany from the dead...

...and given peace to the heart

of Mary Magdalene?

And yet, I lived to deny this man.

He himself foretold that I would

on the night of our last supper.

"Lord, " I had said, "I am willing to

follow you both to prison and to death. "

But he answered:

"Peter, this night,

before the cock crows...

...thou shalt deny me thrice. "

And I did.

Three times outside the house

of his judges.

When they accused me

of being with him, I said:

"I know not the man."

With a curse for the weakness of my body

in the face of death.

Then they weighed him down with a cross

and scourged him.

And at a place called Calvary...

...they crucified him,

with a crown of thorns upon his head.

But even in the midst

of his suffering, Jesus said:

"Father, forgive them,

for they know not what they do. "

Only the Son of God

could have forgiven them...

...as he forgave me for my denial of him.

But he who raised the dead

could not be conquered by death.

The room in which we later sat,

in silence and in sorrow...

...was filled suddenly with a great light

and the risen lord stood before us.

We saw his hands that the nails

had pierced and his wounded side...

...and we knew indeed

that he was the lord.

And we heard his voice say,

"Peace be unto you."

And he commanded us to preach

to all men his holy word.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger

and thirst after righteousness...

...for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

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