In particular ask no favor of him for a long time to come."
I thanked him for his advice and assured him that I most heartily agreed
with his ideas.
Presently a page summoned me, and Tanno came, too.
Commodus had rid himself of his official robes and was now clad only in an
athlete's tunic and soft-soled shoes. I presented Murmex and the Emperor
questioned him, as to his age, his upbringing, his father's years in
retirement at Nersae, as to Pacideianus and put questions about thrusts
and parries designed to test his knowledge of fence.
Then he seated himself on his throne on the little dais by the fencing-
floor and had Murmex called to him, made him stand by him, and asked his
opinion of several pairs of fighters whom he had fence, one pair after the
other.
Appearing pleased with the replies he elicited he bade Murmex go with one
of the pages, rub down and change into fencing rig. While Murmex was gone
he viewed more fencing by young aspirants matched against accredited
Palace-school trainers.
When Murmex returned he had him matched with the best of these tiros. But,
almost at once, he called to the _lanista_:
"Save that novice! Murmex will kill him, even with that lath sword, if you
don't separate them.
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