Page:The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter (1922), vol. 2.djvu/18

to me imploringly. “Save us from destruction, Encolpius,” he shouted; ‘‘restore that sacred robe and holy rattle to the ship! Be merciful, for heaven’s sake, just as you used to be!” He was still shouting when a wind-squall swept him into the sea; the raging elements whirled him around and around in a terrible maelstrom and sucked him down. Tryphæna, on the other hand, was seized by her faithful servants, placed in a skiff, along with the greater part of her belongings, and saved from certain death. Embracing Giton, I wept aloud: “Did we deserve this from the gods,” I cried, “to be united only in death? No! Malignant fortune grudges even that. Look! In an instant the waves will capsize the ship! Think! In an instant the sea will sever this lover’s embrace! If you ever loved Encolpius truly, kiss him while yet you may and snatch this last delight from impending dissolution!” Even as I was speaking, Giton removed his garment and, creeping beneath my tunic, he stuck out his head to