To none but Timotheus, the high-priest of Serapis, had he spoken graciously.
Others confirmed this report; and dissatisfaction found expression in muttered abuse or satirical remarks and bitter witticisms.
"Why did he drive past so quickly ?" asked a tailor's wife; and some one replied: "Because the Eumenides, who haunt him for murdering his brother, lash him on with their whips of snakes!" A spice-merchant; who was not less indignant but more cautious, hearing a neighbor inquire why Tarautas drove panther-spotted horses, replied that such beasts of prey had spotted skins, and that like to like was a common rule.

A cynical philosopher, who proclaimed his sect by his ragged garment, unkempt hair, and rough mode of speech, declared that Caesar had a senator to guide his chariot because he had long since succeeded in turning the senate-house into a stable.
To all this, however, Melissa turned a deaf ear, for the thought of the great Roman leech possessed her mind entirely.

She listened earnestly to the mosaic-worker, who had come close up to her, and officiously mentioned the names of the most important personages as they went past.
Caesar's train seemed endless.

It included not merely horse and foot soldiers, but numberless baggage-wagons, cars, elephants--which Caracalla especially affected, because Alexander the Great had been fond of these huge beasts--horses, mules, and asses, loaded with bales, cases, tents, and camp and kitchen furniture.

Mingling with these came sutlers, attendants, pages, heralds, musicians, and slaves of the imperial household, in knots and parties, looking boldly about them at the bystanders.