[The boaster is abashed]
LUCIA
I'll tell you. His name was Pomponius Bassus—and he was hanged.
[The boaster begins to snivel, and PAULA comes to the rescue]
PAULA
[Grandly] And he deserved it. The way he treated that poor, dear—
LUCIA
Yes, and he was hanged six weeks after that hussy came here and tempted poor Cæsar.
[HELIOGABALUS turns over in the bed]
PAULA