Try, try to meet me there.' Scarcely had he despatched a servant with this when Felix announced to him the arrival of Marcian.

On fire with eagerness, Basil sped to greet his friend.
'Give me to drink,' were the traveller's first words.

'I have ridden since before dawn, and have a tongue like leather.' Wine and grapes, with other refreshments, were set forth for him.
Marcian took up an earthenware jug full of spring water, and drank deeply.

His host then urged the wine, but it was refused; and as Basil knew that one of his friend's peculiarities was a rigorous abstinence at times from all liquor save the pure element, he said no more.
'I have been at Nuceria,' Marcian continued, throwing himself on a seat, 'with Venantius.

What a man! He was in the saddle yesterday from sunrise to sunset; drank from sunset to the third hour of the night; rose before light this morning, gay and brisk, and made me ride with him, so that I was all but tired out before I started on the road hither.