Alexander and Philostratus could offer no explanation; but when the proconsul, Julius Paulinus, observed that the figure was offering the apples for money, as Caesar offered the Roman citizenship to the provincials, he knew for what, Caracalla nodded agreement.

He then provisionally appointed Aristides to the coveted office.  The Egyptian should be informed as to his fate.  When the prefect was about to remove the figures, Caesar hastily forbade it, and ordered the bystanders to withdraw.  Alexander alone was commanded to remain.  As soon as they were together, Caesar sprang up and vehemently demanded to know what news he had brought.  But the young man hesitated to begin his report.  Caracalla, of his own accord, pledged his word once more to keep his oath, and then Alexander assured him that he knew no more than Caesar who were the authors of the epigrams which he had picked up here and there; and, though the satire they contained was venomous in some cases, still he, the sovereign of the world, stood so high that he could laugh them to scorn, as Socrates had laughed when Aristophanes placed him on the stage.

Caesar declared that he scorned these flies, but that their buzzing annoyed him.

Alexander rejoiced at this, and only expressed his regret that most of the epigrams he had collected turned on the death of Caesar’s brother Geta.  He knew now that it was rash to condemn a deed which—­

Here Caesar interrupted him, for he could not long remain quiet, saying sternly: 

“The deed was needful, not for me, but for the empire, which is dearer to me than father, mother, or a hundred brothers, and a thousand times dearer than men’s opinions.  Let me hear in what form the witty natives of this city express their disapproval.”

This sounded so dignified and gracious that Alexander ventured to repeat a distich which he had heard at the public baths, whither he had first directed his steps.  It did not, however, refer to the murder of Geta, but to the mantle-like garment to which Caesar owed the nickname of Caracalla.  It ran thus: 

          “Why should my lord Caracalla affect a garment so ample? 
          ’Tis that the deeds are many of evil he needs to conceal.”

At this Caesar laughed, saying:  “Who is there that has nothing to conceal?  The lines are not amiss.  Hand me your tablets; if the others are no worse—­”

“But they are,” Alexander exclaimed, anxiously, and I only regret that I should be the instrument of your tormenting yourself—­”

“Tormenting?” echoed Caesar, disdainfully.  “The verses amuse me, and I find them most edifying.  That is all.  Hand me the tablets.”