"You have the best guard I have ever encountered," he said, "steady-eyed,
cautious, wary yet quick too, and always with the threat of attack in your
defense. You are a credit to your training."
When they stepped forward again Commodus commanded:
"Attack now, attack your fiercest and show your quality. I shall not be
angry if you land on me, I shall be pleased. Do your utmost!"
After the second bout he said:
"You are most dangerous in attack. At last I have found a man really worth
fencing with. You gave me all I could do to protect myself. You are a
pearl!"
He looked round at the envious faces of more than two score seasoned
professionals and addressed the gathering at large.
"We have here a man who is nephew of Pacideianus and son to Murmex Frugi,
trained since infancy by both. No wonder he is a marvel. I have never
faced a swordsman who gave me so much trouble to protect myself or who
held off my attacks so easily and completely. He is the only man alive, so
far as I know, really in my class as a fencer."
As he was eyeing the assembly to note their manner of receiving this
proclamation his expression changed.
"Egnatius!" he called sharply. "Come here!"
Egnatius Capito came forward.
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