Caesar turned his back on the gate-house, and while he and his companions picked their way not without difficulty through the workmen who squatted here and there and everywhere on the ground, he clapped Titianus more than once on his shoulder, and after he had been received and welcomed by Pontius, he exclaimed: "I bless my decision to come here now! I have had a good evening, a quite delightful evening." The Emperor had not felt so cheerful and free from care for years as on this occasion, and when in spite of the late hour he found the workmen still busy everywhere, and saw all that had already been restored in the old palace and what was being done for its renovation, the restless man could not resist expressing his satisfaction, and exclaimed to Antinous: "Here we may see that even in our sordid times miracles may be wrought by good-will, industry, and skill.

Explain to me my good Pontius how you were able to construct that enormous scaffold.".