"This is but a religious rite that Mercury got out of the cradle at two days to establish.

Only he took Apollo's cattle while we are contenting ourselves with the sheep of mortal ownership.

Robbery! What an inelegant word!" Meanwhile the stampeded sheep were making in a cloud of dust back over the road toward the west from which the Romans had come.
"What shall I say to the citizens of Pella ?" the little shepherd shouted, pursuing the decurion who was making back to his horse as fast as he could go.
"Salute them for me," the decurion shouted back, "and make them my obeisances, and say that I shall report on the flavor of the sheep by messenger from Jerusalem." In a moment the boy sprang into the decurion's way so suddenly that the soldier almost fell over him.
"Be fair!" the boy exclaimed.

"At least leave me half!" The decurion was losing patience and the shepherd had grown more than ever serious.
"Fair!" the Roman echoed.

"Why, I have been indulgent! This is war! It is almost a breach of discipline to argue with you.