of certain others. Not that I am vacillating. Do not think that! Nor do I see any reason to doubt a favourable issue. For those omens should by no means discourage us. The fact that I retained the handle, when my shield broke during the games, may with ample reason, I think, be taken to mean that I shall succeed in holding what my hand has grasped. And if, in vaulting upon my horse, I overthrew the man who helped me to mount, may not this portend a sudden fall to Constantius, to whom I owe my rise? Be this as it may, my Sallust, I look forward to composing a treatise which shall most clearly justify
Sallust.
Very good, my gracious lord; but the soldiers are impatient; they would fain see you, and learn their fate from your own lips.
Julian.
Go, go and pacify them;—tell them that Caesar will presently show himself.
Sallust.
My lord, 'tis not Caesar, it is the Emperor himself they want to see.
Julian.
The Emperor is coming.
Sallust.
Then he comes—though empty-handed—yet with the lives of thousands in his hands!
