Such a retreat was offered to him by his _libertus_ Phaon, in
his own rural villa, about four miles distant from Rome. The offer was
accepted; and the emperor, without further preparation than that of
throwing over his person a short mantle of a dusky hue, and enveloping his
head and face in a handkerchief, mounted his horse, and left Rome with
four attendants. It was still night, but probably verging towards the
early dawn; and even at that hour the imperial party met some travellers
on their way to Rome (coming up, no doubt, [Footnote: At this early hour,
witnesses, sureties, &c., and all concerned in the law courts, came up to
Rome from villas, country towns, &c. But no ordinary call existed to
summon travellers in the opposite direction; which accounts for the
comment of the travellers on the errand of Nero and his attendants.] on
law business)--who said, as they passed, "These men are certainly in chase
of Nero." Two other incidents, of an interesting nature, are recorded of
this short but memorable ride; at one point of the road, the shouts of the
soldiery assailed their ears from the neighboring encampment of Galba.
Pages:
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135