Then I had my men carry me down the straight empty street along the
southwest flank of the Circus Maximus. Half way along it I halted them
before the Temple of Mercury. This I entered and, bidding one of the
attendants lead me to the priest in charge at that hour, I requested him
to offer for me the two white hens and beseech for me the favor of the
God.
Outside I reentered my litter and made my bearers trot all the way round
by the big and little Coelian Hills to the Querquetulan Gate. We passed on
this route many cheap shops. From one I bought a pair of horseman's high
boots, soft and supple and mud-proof. All the way I enjoyed hugely my
outing and the sights and sounds around me. From another shop one of my
reliefs brought me an umbrella hat which fitted me and a voluminous
horseman's raincloak which could not but protect anybody; at another I had
bought for me a wallet; at another flint and steel in a good horn case,
compact and neat.
Outside the Querquetulan Gate, which my bearers reached blown and
sweating, although the reliefs had changed at short intervals, we had no
difficulty in locating Plosurnia's tavern. The holder of the bay horse
with the blue and silver trappings recognized my pass-words and
surrendered his charge to one of my extra bearers.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234