They gave them amulets to avert sickness; but they had spit upon them three times to attract death, or had enclosed jackal's hair within them to put cowardice into their hearts.

Aloud, they invoked Melkarth's favour, and in a whisper, his curse.
Then came the mob of baggage, beasts of burden, and stragglers.

The sick groaned on the backs of dromedaries, while others limped along leaning on broken pikes.

The drunkards carried leathern bottles, and the greedy quarters of meat, cakes, fruits, butter wrapped in fig leaves, and snow in linen bags.

Some were to be seen with parasols in their hands, and parrots on their shoulders.