My whole being feels not merely elevated, but expanded, and that vague longing which comes over me as soon as I mix once more in the turmoil of life, and when the cares of state demand my strength, vanishes.

But you cannot understand it, boy.

These are things which no other mortal can share with me." "And it is only to me that you do not scorn to reveal them!" cried Antinous, who had turned round to face the Emperor, and who with wide eyes had not lost one word.
"You ?" said Hadrian, and a smile, not absolutely free from mockery, parted his lips.

"From you I should no more have a secret than from the Cupid by Praxiteles, in my study at Rome." The blood mounted to the lad's cheeks and dyed them flaming crimson.

The Emperor observed this and said kindly: "You are more to me than the statue, for the marble cannot blush.