Numbers of poor people were streaming away from the open space by the Pope's palace, loud in angry talk, its purpose intelligible enough to any one who caught a few words.

Decius heard maledictions upon the Holy Father, mingled with curses no less hearty upon the Greeks who held Rome.
'It was not thus,' cried an old man, 'in the time of King Theodoric, heretic though he might be.

We had our bread and our hog's flesh, prime quality both, and plenty for all.' 'Ay,' cried a woman, 'and our oil too.

Since these Greek dogs came, not a drop of oil has there been in my cruse.

Heretics, forsooth! What better is the Holy Father who lets Christians die of hunger while he eats and drinks his fill ?' 'Evil go with thee, O Vigilius! The pest seize thee, O Vigilius! May'st thou perish eternally, O Vigilius!' shrilled and shouted all manner of voices, while fists were shaken towards the pontifical abode.
Decius hastened away.