CHAPTER THE TWENTY-NINTH.
I almost fell backwards and broke my legs while staring at all this, for to the left, as we entered, not far from the porter's alcove, an enormous dog upon a chain was painted upon the wall, and above him this inscription, in capitals: BEWARE THE DOG.
My companions laughed, but I plucked up my courage and did not hesitate, but went on and examined the entire wall.

There was a scene in a slave market, the tablets hanging from the slaves' necks, and Trimalchio himself, wearing his hair long, holding a caduceus in his hand, entering Rome, led by the hand of Minerva.

Then again the painstaking artist had depicted him casting up accounts, and still again, being appointed steward; everything being explained by inscriptions.

Where the walls gave way to the portico, Mercury was shown lifting him up by the chin, to a tribunal placed on high.

Near by stood Fortune with her horn of plenty, and the three Fates, spinning golden flax.