No citizen might bring his horse upon it unless a diploma had been
granted him--it was, indeed, for the larger purposes of the government.
After two hours they drew up at a posting-house and changed horses.
They rode this mount some forty miles, halting at a large inn, its
doors flush with the road. A transport and postal train bound for Rome
was expected shortly, and, before eating, Vergilius wrote a letter and
had it ready when the wagons came rattling in a deep-worn rut, behind
teams of horses moving at a swift gallop. There were five wagons in
the train, bearing letters and light merchandise from the south. Hard
by was one of the wheelwright-shops that lined the great thoroughfare.
The train stopped only a moment for water and a new wheel, then rushed
along on its way to the capital. A light meal of bread and porridge,
half an hour of rest, and again, with new horses, the troop was in full
career. A sense of loneliness grew in the heart of the youth as he
journeyed. Lover and soldier had fought their duel, and the latter was
outdone.
Pages:
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105