Alas, my friend, when I consider the present fearful scarcity of our provision stores in the city, and the length of time that this accursed blockade may be expected to last, I am inclined to think that the gods alone know (I mean St.Peter) how much longer we may be enabled to give occupation to our digestions and employment to our cooks.
'I have observed,' pursued the Prefect, after an interval, speaking with his mouth full of stewed peacock; 'I have observed, oh esteemed colleague! the melancholy of your manner and your absolute silence during your attendance to-day at our deliberations.

Have we, in your opinion, decided erroneously?
It is not impossible! Our confusion at this unexpected appearance of the barbarians may have blinded our usual penetration! If by any chance you dissent from our plans, I beseech you communicate your objections to me without reserve!' 'I dissent from nothing, because I have heard nothing,' replied Vetranio sullenly.

'I was so occupied by a private matter of importance during my attendance at the sitting of the Senate, that I was deaf to their deliberations.

I know that we are besieged by the Goths--why are they not driven from before the walls ?' 'Deaf to our deliberations! Drive the Goths from the walls!' repeated the Prefect faintly.

'Can you think of any private matter at such a moment as this?
Do you know our danger?
Do you know that our friends are so astonished at this frightful calamity, that they move about like men half awakened from a dream?
Have you not seen the streets filled with terrified and indignant crowds?
Have you not mounted the ramparts and beheld the innumerable multitudes of pitiless Goths surrounding us on all sides, intercepting our supplies of provisions from the country, and menacing us with a speedy famine, unless our hoped-for auxiliaries arrive from Ravenna ?' 'I have neither mounted the ramparts, nor viewed with any attention the crowds in the streets,' replied Vetranio, carelessly.
'But if you have seen nothing yourself, you must have heard what others saw,' persisted the Prefect; 'you must know at least that the legions we have in the city are not sufficient to guard more than half the circuit of the walls.