Can you trust in worldly matters one who is so blinded to the clearest truths of eternity ?' 'I confess,' murmured the listener, 'that I thought him justified in his support of the Gothic kingdom.' 'You are content, then, you whose ancestors have sat in the Senate, to be ruled by barbarians?
You, a Catholic, revolt not against the dominions of Arians?
And so little is your foresight, your speculation, that you dream of permanent conquest of Italy by this leader of a barbaric horde?
I tell you, lord Marcian, that ere another twelvemonth has passed, the Goths will be defeated, scattered, lost.

The Emperor is preparing a great army, and before the end of summer Belisarius will again land on our shores.

Think you Totila can stand against him?
Be warned; consider with yourself.

Because your confession had indeed something of sickness in it, I have forborne to use it against you as another might have done.

But not with impunity can you resume your traitorous practices; of that be assured.' He paused, looking sternly into Marcian's face.
'I have no leisure to debate with you, to confute your errors.