Thus run the orders which I brought with me from Rome.

I will drive the low fellows together like deer for hunting, for they are all rogues and villains, and I shall know how to torture them until I find the right one." "The emperor will ill-requite you for that," replied Petrus.

"They are pious Christians, and you know that Constantine himself--" "Constantine!" exclaimed the centurion scornfully.

"Perhaps he will let himself be baptized, for water can hurt no one, and he cannot, like the great Diocletian, exterminate the masses who run after the crucified miracle-monger, without depopulating the country.

Look at these coins; here is the image of Caesar, and what is this on the other side?
Is this your Nazarene, or is it the old god, the immortal and invincible sun?
And is that man one of your creed, who in Constantinople adores Tyche and the Dioscuri Castor and Pollux?
The water he is baptized with to-day he will wipe away to-morrow, and the old gods will be his defenders, if in more peaceful times he maintains them against your superstitions." "But it will be a good while till then," said Perrus coolly.