the midday sun
In his gilded cage supported by carved pillars and drawn by eight Ethiopian slaves , the favourite of Caligula was slowly wheeled into the arena . A huge sigh rose from every breast . The tumult was hushed ; dead silence fell upon the vast concourse of people suddenly turned to stone , alive only by two hundred thousand pairs of eyes fixed upon the cage and its occupant . The black panther -- with its sleek black coat on which the midday sun threw tiny blotches of tawny lights -- was cowering in a corner of its cage ; its snake-like head , with the broad flat brow and wide curved jaws , was drawn back between its shoulders , its small golden eyes , gleaming like yellow topaz , were half closed in wary somnolence . Slowly the cage was wheeled round by the panting negro slaves , and then it was brought to a standstill against the copper gates at the eastern end of the arena . `` Be thou faithful unto death . '' -- REVELATIONS II .