army you would seek to make men deem you a god,—and in that I dare not assist you.
Julian.
What say you, my friends, to this speech?
Kytron.
It assuredly shows no less effrontery than ignorance.
Julian.
You seem to forget, oh truth-loving Jovian, that the Emperor Antoninus, surnamed the Pious, has been worshipped in a special temple on the Roman forum as an immortal god. And not he alone, but also his wife, Faustina, and other Emperors before and after him.
Jovian.
I know it, sire,—but it was not given to our forefathers to live in the light of truth.
Julian
[With a long look at him.] Ah, Jovian!
Tell me,—last evening, when I was taking the omens for the coming night, you brought me a message just as I was laving the blood from my hands in the water of purification
Jovian.
Yes, my Emperor!
Julian
In my haste, I chanced to sprinkle a few drops of the water on your cloak. You shrank sharply backward and shook the water off, as if your cloak had been defiled.
