Then he humbly inquired as to the clay figure of which Caesar was speaking, and Caracalla referred him to Zminis.

The Egyptian repeated what the Magian had told him.
Alexander listened calmly; but when Zminis ceased speaking, the artist took a deep breath, drew himself up, and pointing a contemptuous finger at the spy, as if his presence poisoned the air, he said: "It is that fellow's fault, great Caesar, if the citizens of my native town dare commit such crimes.

He torments and persecutes them in your name.

How many a felony has been committed here, merely to scoff at him and his creatures, and to keep them on the alert! We are a light-headed race.
Like children, we love to do the forbidden thing, so long as it is no stain on our honor.

But that wretch treats all laughter and the most innocent fun as a crime, or so interprets it that it seems so.