The Silver Chalice Page #7

There's no need to worry, Deborra.

I shall go with your husband

and protect him for you.

I shall not rest until I see you safe again.

The wind is fair.

We're ready to sail, my Lord.

A husband of Antioch

about to Leave on a journey...

...usually makes a sacrifice to the gods

for his wife's safekeeping.

Did you do so, Basil?

I wouldn't want you

to place your dependence on a pagan god...

...so I've arranged with some Christians

to keep watch over you While you Live here.

There will always be two on hand.

To guard the cup?

But I've hidden it Well in my house.

To guard you too, Deborra.

I couldn't rest in Rome

if I thought you were in danger.

Wait, and I shall soon be ready

to return home.

Basil.

Basil.

When you see Peter in Rome,

to add his face to your beautiful chalice...

...ask him to bless me

and to bless you too.

Will you see Helena

While you are in Rome?

-How do you know she's there?

-From Benjie the Asker.

There was no need to pay an informer.

I would have told you had you asked.

Forgive my being so much a woman.

See her, please. I urge you, Basil.

Deborra.

I cannot be put to a test of Love

between you and Helena.

As though it were

something to weigh in the scales...

...to see which side

outbalances the other.

No, I suppose Love

is not so simple as all that.

It would have been very easy, Deborra,

when we were in the desert...

...to yield to the temptation

to be your husband.

It is not difficult for a man

to delude a woman about such things.

Even a more worldly woman than you.

But you Christians set such

a great store by conscience that...

...I wanted to be conscientious

with my Christian wife.

I confess

I was trying to take advantage...

...of my Last hour alone with you.

To sway you from Helena to me.

Perhaps I shouldn't have done that.

You see, I've suddenly acquired

a Christian conscience myself.

Thanks to a pagan.

Godspeed, Basil.

Hail Caesar. Hail Caesar.

Hail Caesar. Hail Caesar.

Hail Caesar. Hail Caesar.

Hail Caesar. Hail Caesar.

Poppaea, my dear wife.

If it please you, Caesar.

If it please you, Caesar.

Roast peacock from the Land of Egypt.

Wild boar from Caesar's preserves

in Dalmatia.

Succulent dormice,

saturated with poppy juice.

Oysters, surrounded by damson plums,

sprinkled with cumin and benzoin root.

Sausage, stuffed with golden plover's eggs

and the breast of pheasant.

Aged grasshoppers, fried in honey

to a Light golden brown.

Eggs, made of crushed pearls colored

to a golden hue and filled with yolks...

...in which we've nestled

fat Little ortolans roasted to a turn.

I sent my slave to you today, Simon,

for my Love potion...

...but she returned empty-handed.

I no Longer traffic

in such magic and spells.

-Dear, what am I to do?

-Rely upon your beauty.

But not too heavily.

The best people in Rome are at our door.

ALL they want are charms and Love potions,

and they all have gold.

I did not come to the center of the world

to be a peddler of tricks.

My time of greatness is at hand.

No one dares be great in Rome

except Nero.

He is god, not you.

And remember, Nero is a jealous god.

-Simon.

-Yes, Caesar.

What new illusions have you to show us?

O Caesar, I have words in mind

rather than tricks.

Words of a new wonder

for your learned ear.

Meanwhile, Caesar, my hands

do not forget their trade.

Oh!

Come on.

You please me, Simon.

Now you have my permission

to speak the words you wanted me to hear.

''Words of a new wonder,'' you said.

O Caesar.

There is a test I desire to make,

a test of power.

Match me, O Caesar,

Like the gladiators in the arena...

...against the Leader of the Christians.

And you be the judge as to which of us

can work the greater wonders.

A match against the Christians?

What do you say, Tigeillnus?

You might find it amusing, Caesar.

-Simon against the Christians.

-It would be a change from the lions.

Their acknowledged Leader

is here in Rome.

He is called Peter.

It is said wherever his shadow falls...

...the sick become Well

and the lame walk.

Summon him before you, Caesar,

to give proof of his powers...

...and I will give proof of mine.

You have my consent, Simon.

These Christians

are becoming too numerous.

They're hiding all around us.

By all means,

Let us bring them out of their holes.

Find this man Peter

and bring him before me.

Caesar be praised.

-Bring me wine.

-Yes, master.

Hall Caesar. Hall Simon.

Hall Caesar.

-Hall Simon.

-Milady.

I have found where the man

from Antioch is, gracious Lady.

Where, Idbash? Tell me where.

At the end of the rock,

under the Collina Gate.

-Is he alone?

-Yes.

He spends each day at the forge

of Kester, the armorer...

...awaiting his return from the wars.

Every morning, he goes there

and stays until evening.

-How Long has he been in Rome?

-More than a month.

Let me deliver this man to you,

gracious and beautiful Lady.

He will regret his neglect.

No, I'll deal with him in my own way.

It is two hours since the dawn.

You slept Late.

I scarcely slept at all.

May I get you some bread and milk?

I'm not hungry.

Have you heard from Peter?

You must continue to be patient,

my young friend.

Why does Peter deny me

a meeting with him?

What more assurance does he want

than the Letter that I brought from Luke?

Peter will reveal himself to you

when he's ready.

That I can promise you.

May I be of service to you?

I am Cephas, the porter.

This is not the way Lovers meet.

That is not the way Lovers kiss.

Why?

Why? Has your wife cast

some evil Christian spell over you?

Has she given you a charm to wear

to turn you against me?

She's not a sorceress.

But she has done something.

Yes.

Then she's bewitched you.

Or do you Love her?

Tell me to go.

Tell me you never

want to see me again.

You're not beyond practicing

a Little witchcraft of your own.

I seek one Basil of Antioch.

That is my name.

-Son of Ignatius?

-Yes.

-I am Kester.

-Kester, at last.

I have searched for you

from Antioch to Jerusalem.

-From Jerusalem to Rome.

-I have only today returned from the wars.

What would you say if I told you

that Linus had me sold into slavery?

You, a slave?

I call it an outrage, a travesty on the Law.

Why was I not told of this injustice?

Since I have found you,

will you testify for me?

That I shall indeed. Look.

Here is the buckle of silver

with five points...

...that Ignatius gave to each of us

as a memento of your adoption.

There is his name and yours,

inscribed upon the back.

It's perfect proof.

It must convince any magistrate.

Oh, well go far beyond magistrates.

I'll have my doctor of Laws draw up

a document that shall give all the facts.

You shall have a copy,

I shall have a copy.

We shall send another copy

to the governor of Antioch.

And another copy

to the senate here in Rome.

That's the way we do it in the army.

Oh, you're rich now.

You must settle down here.

There's no place Like Rome, my boy,

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