"And the Tiburtinian Gate?"
"Must remain closed."
"And Belisarius?"
"Must remain outside."
"Teja and Totila have almost reached him!"
"So much the less dare we open! First Rome; then the rest! Obey, tribune!"
Cethegus remained behind to order the reparation of the damaged gate. It took a considerable time.
"How was it, Syphax!" he asked his slave. "Was he really alive?"
"He still lives."
"How stupid these Goths are!"