libations on the board and make prayers to heaven.

Meantime evening is approaching nearer the slope of

heaven, and already the priests and their chief Potitius

were in procession, clad in skins in ritual sort, and bearing 20

fire in their hands. They renew the solemn feast,

and bring delicious offerings for a fresh repast, and pile

the altars with loaded chargers. Then come the Salii to

sing round about the blazing altars, their temples wreathed

with boughs of poplar, a company of youths and another 25

of old men; and these extol in song the glories and deeds