Chapter IV
However, Virgil, the man Lucy was supposed to marry, arrived on the Ides of December at the villa only to be greeted by Amata, Lucy’s former servant and Marcus, Amata’s brother. The two bowed at Virgil.
“Is Lucy here?” Virgil asked.
“My Lady does not live here anymore. After she went to Catania, she and her mother sold everything including the villa. I was set free,” Amata said.
“How did you come to purchase the estate?” Virgil asked.
“She gave it me.” Amata told Virgil how she was given the villa and how she found her long lost brother. She told Virgil what Lucy told her: ‘Proclaim His words to all.’
“…Then Lucy left. To this day I sill cannot understand what she told me,” Amata said.
“Where does Lucy live now?” Virgil asked.
“She lives among the poor now.” Amata replied.
“Oh and why is that?” Virgil asked. “Let me guess she has sold everything so she could join the Vestal Virgins. How lovely. I never thought she would make a good one. I guess she has denounced me in marriage.”
“Actually, she wishes to remain a virgin, but not to be in the service of the temple. She has found another man. He is richer than the Emperors or the Senate combined,” Amata said.
“Who is this man?” Virgil asked. “I will have him brought to the Coliseum and we will fight, man to man!”
“I do not know his name, sir,” Amata replied. Virgil walked away from the villa. He had only gone a few steps, because something clicked in his mind. Pulling out a knife, he charged back to the villa. He grabbed Amata by the arm, raised the knife and yelled:
“IS SHE A CHRISTIAN?! ANSWER ME OR YOU WILL DIE!” Marcus pulled out a small knife to protect his sister.
“Y-yes, I b-believe s-she i-is.” Amata responded trembling.
“A FILTHY CHRISTIAN! THAT IS WHY SHE KEPT REFUSING TO MARRY ME WHEN I ASKED HER! TAKE ME TO HER!”
“Y-yes, M-My L-Lord. I-I will do what you s-say,” Amata said trembling. She and Marcus led Virgil to Lucy. Marcus put away his knife, for the time being.
Lucy and Eutycha were sitting in their house, singing hymns and psalms because they had finished selling the vast majority of their possessions. The house had just only one room. It had a small fireplace, and little furniture. There was a table in the center of the room which Lucy and Eutycha sat at. On the table was an open scroll of psalms, and a wreath with candles in it, and a basket.
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Lucy and Eutycha were praying the first psalm. When they were somewhere in the middle of the psalm the door slammed open. Virgil and five legionaries stood in the doorway. Amata and Marcus entered the house as well.
“Virgil!” exclaimed Lucy.
“Lucy, you have betrayed me! I know your secret! You are a Christian! You know it is against the law to be a Christian! The Emperor has proclaimed it as law!” Virgil exclaimed as he slammed his hand on the table.
“Virgil! Please have mercy! Leave me in peace!” said Lucy.
“You want mercy! Then beg for it at the feet of Paschasius, the governor of Sicily!” Virgil responded.
“Virgil! Leave her alone! She has done nothing wrong!” Eutycha exclaimed.
“I will have no excuses! Arrest her! Take her to Paschasius!”
“Virgil! Stop this!” Eutycha exclaimed. Lucy was bound and sent to Paschasius for judgment. Eutycha fell to her knees and cried. She pleaded for mercy from God to protect her daughter. Amata went over to Eutycha to comfort her. Eutycha hesitated.
“Go watch the trial. Maybe God will protect my daughter. If she dies, I know I will see her one-day when we are reunited in heaven. Now go.”
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Virgil and the legionaries lead Lucy to the basilica. The basilica was large inside. The hall had two rows of columns down the center of the hall. At the end of the basilica, was a raised area, which contained a magnificent chair, and a wooden platform. The platform was used for judging criminals. Behind the chair was a wall, which contained a slab of rock with the inscription “SPQR” engraved on it. The letters stood for Senatus Populusque Romanus meaning The Senate and the People of Rome. The Governor, Paschasius sat in the chair. His master servant stood to the right of him and, Julia, his servant girl stood to his left. The hall was packed with Paschasius’ friends, who came from Syracuse, Catania, Palermo, and other cities. His friends were detestable people who did unspeakable evil.
Virgil went up to Paschasius. They clasped hand and embraced. Lucy was led the wooden platform. Two soldiers stood at opposite ends of the raised area.
“What is the trouble Virgil?” Paschasius asked. The Governor, Paschasius, was about thirty years old. He had a good build. He had black hair green eyes and wore a gold crown. He wore a purple tunic and an animal skin. He was a wicked man taxing the poor and enforcing all the laws of the Empire. Amata, Lucy’s former servant, and her brother Marcus made their way through the crowds to watch the trial.
“As you know, Paschasius, I am espoused to this maiden named Lucy. She has refused to marry me, saying that she has found someone else to marry. She wishes to marry a man richer than the Emperors or the senate combined. However, This maiden and her widowed mother have sold their possessions including their large estate. They have given everything to the poor of Syracuse. I said to myself, ‘Why would this maiden give away all her possessions in order to marry a man who is richer than the Emperor or the Senate combined?’ I then began to draw conclusions. I have concluded that this maiden, Lucy, is a Christian! I am accusing this maiden, Lucy, of being a Christian!”
Paschasius stared at Lucy. Then He said in a loud booming voice:
“Are you a Christian?” Lucy began to sweat. She swallowed hard and said in a firm voice:
“Yes! I am a Christian!” Paschasius stroked his chin. He replied in a loud voice:
“Do you know it is against the law to be a Christian? I suppose that if will beg for mercy, I will give you mercy. Offer incense to the gods and you will be spared from my wrath.”
