The terrific storm of the preceding night had thrown the whole city into dismay.

Everyone knew the danger that threatened Serapis, and what must ensue if he were overthrown; and everyone had thought that the end of the world had indeed come.

But the tempest died away; the sun's bright glow dispersed the clouds and mist; sea and sky smiled radiantly blue, and the trees and herbage glistened in revived freshness.
Not yet had the Romans dared to lay hands on the chief of the gods, the patron and protector of the city.

Serapis had perhaps sent the lightning, thunder and rain as a message to warn his foes.

If only they might abstain from the last, worst crime of desecrating his image! Nor was this the hope of the heathen only; on the contrary: Jews and Christians no less dreaded the fall of the god and of his temple.