A common slave—you know him well by sight—
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn
Like twenty torches joined; and yet his hand,
Not sensible of fire, remained unscorched. . . .
And there were drawn
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women,
Transformèd with their fear, who swore they saw
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets.
And yesterday the bird of night did sit
Even at noonday upon the market-place,
Hooting and shrieking. . . .
For I believe they are portentous things
Unto the climate that they point upon.
portentous – adj. Predicting the future.
What does this passage foreshadow?
Rome will continue to prosper, and all citizens will be happy.
Rome will suffer revenge at the hand of a slave.
Rome will suffer danger and destruction.
Rome will find a renewed peace once the bird of night leaves the market-place.