Truly a clever speech! [He sets down the goblet, lingering to sniff at it.] M-m-m! One would think certain persons were soldiers celebrating the victory of the godlike Claudius over Goths and Allemanes! By Bacchus, there are times when I could wish myself a persecuted Christian! [He goes. Pertinax returns.]
Tertulla.
[Lifts the goblet from the table and holds it toward Pertinax.] Take it, Faunus, from thy handmaiden! [Pertinax obeys, drinking the wine.]
Valentinus.
[Smiling.] Ahem! Not so were libations poured in my ante-Christian days!
Tertulla.
[Explaining.] Faunus likes it best that way rather than spilled upon the ground!
Valentinus.
Not without reason! The vintage of Asterius is famed!