Page:The Children's Plutarch, Romans.djvu/77

 which could be seen a man's armor in a heap. It had once belonged to King Perseus.

“Poor children,” murmured the people, as they gazed at the next chariot.

In this car were the children of Perseus. They stretched out their hands toward the Roman crowd, begging for mercy. There were two boys and one girl, all young.

King Perseus walked behind this chariot. He was dressed in black, and his feet were shod with sandals. Behind him walked a troop of his courtiers, all looking miserable.

Last, the chariot of Paulus, drawn by four white horses, wreathed with garlands. His tunic was purple; his cloak purple, adorned with golden stars; his shoes gilded. An ivory sceptre was in his left hand, a branch of laurel in his right. A slave stood behind him, holding over his head the golden crown of Jupiter.

The Roman people shouted:

“Yo! yo! yo! Triumph! triumph! triumph! Yo! yo!”

But the slave, every now and then, whispered in the general's ear:

“Ah, but remember you are mortal! Remember you will die!”

Thus the Romans taught themselves to be humble in the midst of their glory.

The soldiers of the army brought up the rear,