"See! See! Who knows how far you may go? What will it cost Carinus to have a rich old Senator drowned, and give you his palaces and treasures? Then you, too, will own mansions and slaves, will bathe in rose-water and eat peacock's tongues. What bars your way? You can gain all these things, by cringing. Cringing, I say."
Manlius let the old man talk on.
"But stay with me as long as you feel inclined, and be of good cheer."
In the evening a magnificent banquet was served in honour of Manlius; everything that could please the palate, eye, and heart appeared.
The young man's face glowed with the fire of old Falernian wine, and he often struck the table with his clenched fist, entirely forgetting the respect due to his host.
Mesembrius saw that the soul of his guest was beginning to open and, propping his cheek upon his hand, he commenced the examination.
"Well, Manlius, how do you like the Falernian? Am I not right in saying that Italy is the bosom of the earth, for here are the breasts—namely, the mountains which produce this wine?"
"Yet I have quaffed a more inspiring drink in my life-time."
"A more inspiring drink, Manlius? At whose table?"