they could as completely forget the stormy outward world, in themselves;
they could think as serenely of tranquil love; the kiss could be given
as passionately and returned as tenderly, as if the lot of their
existence had been cast in the pastoral days of the shepherd poets, and
the future of their duties and enjoyments was securely awaiting them in
a land of eternal peace!


CHAPTER 14. THE FAMINE.

The end of November is approaching. Nearly a month has elapsed since
the occurrence of the events mentioned in the last chapter, yet still
the Gothic lines stretch round the city walls. Rome, that we left
haughty and luxurious even while ruin threatened her at her gates, has
now suffered a terrible and warning change. As we approach her again,
woe, horror, and desolation have already gone forth to shadow her lofty
palaces and to darken her brilliant streets.


Over Pomp that spurned it, over Pleasure that defied it, over Plenty
that scared it in its secret rounds, the spectre Hunger has now risen
triumphant at last. Day by day has the city's insufficient allowance of
food been more and more sparingly doled out; higher and higher has risen
the value of the coarsest and simplest provision; the hoarded supplies
that pity and charity have already bestowed to cheer the sinking people
have reached their utmost limits. For the rich, there is still corn in
the city--treasure of food to be bartered for treasure of gold. For the
poor, man's natural nourishment exists no more; the season of famine's
loathsome feasts, the first days of the sacrifice of choice to necessity
have darkly and irretrievably begun.