Cornelia's Jewels (1)

Cornelia's Jewels (1)

It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome mony hundred years ago.

In a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful garden, two boys were standing.

They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were walking among the flowers and trees.

" Did you ever see so handsome a lady as our mother's friend ?" asked the younger boy, holding his tall brother's hand.
" She looks like a queen."

" Yes, she is not so beutiful as our mother, " said the elder boy.
" She has a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and  kind. It is our mother who is like a queen. "

" That is true, " said the other.
" There is no woman in Rome so much like a queen as our own dear mother. "

Soon Cornelia, their mother, came down the walk to speak with them.

She was simply dressed in a white robe.
Her arms and feet were bare, as was the custom in those days.; and no ring nor chain glittered about her hands and neck.

For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair were coiled about her head.
And a tender smile lit up her noble face as she looked into her son's proud eyes.

" Boys, " she said, " I have something to tell you. "

They bowed before her, as Roman boys were taught to do, and said.
" What is it, mother ?"

" You are to dine with us today, here in the garden.
And then our friend is going to show us that wonderful casket　of jewels of which you　have heard so much. "

(つづく　1/2)  

Cornelia's Jewels (完)

Cornelia's Jewels (完)

The brother looked shyly at their mother's friend.

Was it possible that she had still other rings beside those on her fingers ?

Could she have other gems beside those which sparkled in the chains about her neck ?

When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from the house.

The lady opened it.

Ah, how those jewels dazzled the eyes of wondering boys !

There were ropes of pearls white as milk, and smoth as satin; heaps of shining rubies, red as the glowing coals ; sapphires as blue as the sky of that summer day.

And diamonds that flashed and sparkled like the sunlight.

The brother looked long at the gems.
" Ah ! " whispered the younger, " if our mother could only have such beautiful things ! "

At last, however, the casket was closed and carried carefully away.

" Is it true, Conelia, that you have no jewels ? " asked her friend.
" Is it true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor ? "

" No, i am not poor, "
answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her two boys to her side.
" For here are my jewels.
 They are worth more than all your gems. "

I am sure that the boys never forgot their mother's pride and love and care; and in after years, when they had become great man in Rome, they often thought of this scene in the garden.

And the world still likes to hear the story of Cornelia's jewels.    

(2/2 完)

物語のCornelia はローマのグラックス家の嫁で、二人の兄弟は、 
Tiberius Gracchus, Caius Gracchus
グラックス兄弟　(ウィキペディアにリンク ) とされる。