"What! the young Athenian philosopher of whom we have heard so much?"
"Yes. Dionysius, young as he is, I am told that he is certain to fill the next vacancy in their famous Areopagus."
"He is high in Augustus's good graces, is he not?" asked Pollio.
"Augustus would swear by him," said Flaccus. "It is lucky for all of us that the youth has no ambition, and is going away again soon."
"What does Biberius say of him?" inquired Apicius.
"Say? Why, what does he ever say of any one, at least of any distinguished man?"
"Simply not a word."
"Well, think then what does he think?"
"Not lovingly, I suspect. Their spirits, their geniuses, would not long agree. If he was emperor, Dionysius of Athens would not have so brilliant a reception at court."
"But is it then really brilliant? Does one so young sustain his own part?" asked Pollio.