S. Because it is no longer lawful to give them a slave to eat. But slaves are not slaves nowadays, and have no sympathy with their masters’ interest, or one of mine would destroy himself to oblige me.
Lepidus. What news from Rome?
S. The emperor has been giving a splendid supper to the senators.
L. He is a good creature. They say he never sends a man away without granting his request.
S. Perhaps he would let me kill a slave for my reservoir?
G. Not unlikely; for he who grants a favor to one Roman must always do it at the expense of another. Be sure that for every smile Titus has caused a hundred eyes have wept.
S. Long live Titus! He has promised my brother a quæstorship because he has run through his fortune.
L. And wishes now to enrich himself among the people.
S. Exactly so.
G. That is putting the people to some use. Well, let us to the baths. This is the time when all the world is there, and Fulvius, whom you admire so much, is going to read us an ode.