Quintus Claudius, Volume 1 of 2

n Hills, had recited his newest and most poignant epigrams with loud applause, and the company-more than a hundred person

simply with ivy, she smiled radiantly from the head of the table, the object of silent worship to many, and of eager admiration to all. A number of slaves, in

ielded to the pressure of curiosity or of fashion-particularly wh

e I feel by comparison a beggar. What splendor, what lavish outlay! Pillars of alabaster, enormous gold plates,[154] carpets worth an estate-my senses reel.

Norbanus. "See, Stephanus is looki

ress's steward? What has

fine oyster,[156] "between ourselves, you know. Meanwhile, I strongly advise you to taste

artial is full of wit and humor, but this perpetual mockery, this making a business of holding up all society to ridicule and contempt-no, my dear Norbanus, I cannot like it.

led: "There are some of course, but they are

ch, Norbanus?" asked Quint

reathed poet has sinned basely against the ladies of Rom

y looking round. "What Ravidus[158] is here

fail of its point, for every one, with the single exception of the blushing Aurelius, wa

ised, but ... however, you heard. If a woman is no more to you than the be

en more fortunate?

hope so,

eighbor on her left, who kept his gaze alert, though with an air of reserve and dignity. Two of her companions,

Martial mockingly. "Reveal his name to me, O Muse! and I w

ered Norbanus to Aurelius. "Y

relius. "Fencing with words

Stephanus now-only see how the man is made up-now, full in the light. By Castor! he is touched up and painted like a wench-Stephanus again, is a master in t

oice: "Who is going to publish t

know. Possibly

en, my

he course o

book comes out, may I sen

nearer to you. You pass every day by the Argiletum. There you will find a very interesting shop, exactly opposite the Forum of Caesar. Atrectus, the bookseller, will feel hi

s. "That is too dear for me. I h

be saving wi

one, who knows ho

ornfully. "Make your wants known at all the street-corners,[1

relius of the praetorian guardsman. "This L

"With an income of two hun

n a man be at once

t you are in Rome. Here extremes meet; here

moment, that the banquet really assumed the aspect intended by the artistic and extravagant imagination of the hostess. The beaten silver of the massive bowls[164] and platters gleamed brightly under the wreaths of flowers

cakes[170] from Picenum, figs from Chios,[171] pistachio nuts[172] from Palestine-were all here of the choicest quality and elaborately prepared. Euphemus,[173] Caesar's own head-cook, could have done no more. Nor could anything be more perfect, than the grace with which the handsomely-dressed slaves offered each dainty on long slices of bre

ting was over and the commissatio, as it was called, the drinking in short, was about to begin, as was hinted by the distribution to the guests of fresh wreaths and of perfumed oils, a buffoon or jester[177] made his appearance, and soon filled the hall with Homeric laughter. His small and muscular form was clothed in

ightfully satisfied. I offer you the feast of self-knowledge; to each one of you here I will shortly and plainly tell your fortune. If I a

the banqueting-hall, and Martia

omplacency; the jester bowed and went on with his privileged impertinences. He flung some epigrammatic and pointed remark at one and another of th

hand before his face in affected coyness. "How much

himself heard again. Aurelius, though he was disgusted with the fellow, had discretion and tact enough not to draw attention to himself; he laughed and applauded as heartily

thunder. "Who are you scoffing at? My dear friend Aurelius comp

to account. When the Batavian was about to reprove Herodianus, he was talked down,

in of the guard: "He will serve

look at him knitting his brows. Is not he ju

, who had been excessively amused by Herodianus' pugnaci

he jester!" sh

still with his h

itable comic gravity. "Yes, there he lies, a Maltese

t Herodianus could hardly be expected to take this unprejudiced view of the matter. Forgetting where and wi

you that ... that.... By Hercules! if you do not jump down this m

nus' head on to the floor, turned up the sleeves

come on! I will giv

s Greek dog-name. The jester, however, slipped on one side as quick as lightning, and Herodianus, who, indeed, was not

, and he began vigorously to belabor every part of the hap

xclaimed at each blow. "Quiet,

e dwarf clung to him tightly with his legs. The whole scene was as irresistibly comical as though it had been planned for the delectation of a blas

" he said. "Be off with

re set him down among the cups and wine-jars. The strength and promptness of the proceeding diverted it of any vexatious interference; the dwarf, completely quelled, stood on the table like a stork that has had its wings cut, looking r

now, having been helped on his feet by some of the serv

kindly. "But you are re

account of the Vestal virgin! I should not have car

litter. My own head ach

ming up to him. "Do you not know that Lycoris ha

cused. These sports are not to my t

time left their places, so his disappearance was almost unremarked; but the fair hostess kept her eye fixed on him, till she lost sight of her ungracious guest in the throng. Then, with an insidious smile, she tur

of the noblest souls I ever knew, and beyond a doubt,

this paragon of merit!" And with a coquettish toss of her head she turned from Quintus and