human
Splendid, splendid! cried Hadrian, pointing into the little house.
gpt
An idyl, a perfect idyl. Who would have expected to find such a smiling nook of peace in the most restless and busy town in the empire.
human
I and Pontius were equally surprised at this little nest, and we therefore left it untouched,
gpt
Intelligent people understand each other, and I owe you thanks for preserving this little home, answered the Emperor.
human
What an omen, what a favorable, in every way favorable augury, it offers me. The Graces receive me here into these old walls, Aglaia, Thalia and Euphrosyne!
gpt
Good luck to you, Master,
human
We come late,
gpt
That does not matter, said the old woman.
human
Here at Lochias for the last week we have quite forgotten to distinguish day from night, and a blessing can never come too late.
gpt
I have brought with me to-day an illustrious guest, said Titianus.
human
The great Roman architect Claudius Venator. He only disembarked a few minutes since.
gpt
Then a draught of wine will do him good. We have in the house some good white Mareotic from my daughter's garden by the lake. If your friend will do us humble folks so much honor, I beg he will step into our room; it is clean, is it not sir? and the cup I will give him to drink it out of would not disgrace the Emperor himself. Who knows what you will find up in the midst of all the muddle yonder?
human
I will accept your invitation with pleasure, answered Hadrian.
gpt
I can see by your face that you have a pleasure in entertaining us, and any one might envy you your little house.
human
When the climbing-rose and the honey-suckle are out it is much prettier, said Doris, as she filled the cup.
gpt
Here is some water for mixing.
human
A masterpiece, dame; what would Caesar find to drink out of here where the gate-keeper uses such a treasure? Who executed this admirable work, pray?
gpt
My son carved it for me in his spare time.
human
He is a highly-skilled sculptor,
gpt
A very noble drink! I thank you, mother.
human
And I you, for styling me mother: there is no better title a woman can have who has brought up good children; and I have three who need never be ashamed to be seen.
gpt
I wish you all luck with them, good little mother,
human
We shall meet again, for I am going to spend some days at Lochias.
gpt
Now, in all this bustle?
human
This great architect, said Titianus, in explanation,
gpt
He needs no help! cried the old woman.
human
He is a man of the best stamp. His foresight and energy, my son says, are incomparable. I have seen him giving his orders myself, and I know a man when I see him!
gpt
And what particularly pleased you in him?
human
He never for a moment loses his temper in all the hurry, never speaks a word too much or too little; he can be stern when it is necessary, but he is kind to his inferiors. What his merits are as an artist I am not capable of judging, but I am quite certain that he is a just and able man.
gpt
I know him myself, replied Caesar,
human
Being a man he must be able to be severe; but he is so only when it is. necessary, and how kind he can be he shows himself every day. A man grows to the mould of his own mind when he is a great deal alone; and this I have noticed, that a man who is repellant and sharp to those beneath him is not in himself anything really great; for it shows that he considers it necessary to guard against the danger of being looked upon as of no more consequence than the poorer folks he deals with. Now, a man of real worth knows that it can be seen in his bearing, even when he treats one of us as an equal. Pontius does so, and Titianus, and you who are his friend, no less. It is a good thing that you should have come-- but, as I said before, the architect up there can do very well without you.
gpt
You do not seem to rate my capacity very highly, and I regret it, for you have lived with your eyes open and have learned to judge men keenly.
human
You--you are a great man too--it is quite possible that you might see things that would escape Pontius. There are a few choice souls whom the Muses particularly love and you are one of them.
gpt
What leads you to suppose so?
human
I see it in your gaze--in your brow.
gpt
You have the gift of divination, then?
human
No, I am not one of that sort; but I am the mother of two sons on whom also the Immortals have bestowed the special gift, which I cannot exactly describe. It was in them I first saw it, and wherever I have met with it since in other men and artists--they have been the elect of their circle. And you too--I could swear to it, that you are foremost of the men among whom you live.
gpt
Do not swear lightly, laughed the Emperor.
human
We will meet and talk together again little mother, and when I depart I will ask you again whether you have not been deceived in me. Come now, Telemachus, the dame's birds seem to delight you very much.