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What shameful slander! Oh Christ—I mean to say—oh heavenly divinities!

Ah!

What mean you?

[Coldly.] Nothing, most gracious Emperor!

Caesarius!

Yes, my august master!

Not master; call me your friend.

Dare a Christian call you so!

I pray you banish such thoughts, Caesarius! You must not believe that of me. How can I help all these accused men being Christians? Does it not merely show that the Christians have contrived to seize all the lucrative posts? And can the Emperor suffer the most important offices of the state to be badly administered?

[To the others.

You surely do not think that it is your creed which has kindled my wrath against dishonest officials? I call all the gods to witness that I will