Command also that he should cease to question my
will and my authority in matters great or small that are within my rule.
Since you are appealed to as Caesar, as Caesar judge, not of this thing
only but of all, for there is much between him and me that needs to be
made plain."
Vespasian looked round him uneasily, but seeing no escape and that
beneath the quarrel lay issues which were deep and wide, he spoke out in
his brave, simple-minded fashion.
"Sons," he said, "seeing that there are but two of you who together, or
one after the other, must inherit the world, it is an evil-omened thing
that you should quarrel thus, since on the chances of your enmity may
hang your own fates and the fates of peoples. Be reconciled, I pray
you. Is there not enough for both? As for the matter in hand--this is my
judgment. With all the spoils of Judaea, this fair maid is the property
of Titus. Titus, whose boast it is that he does not go back upon his
word, has decreed that she shall be sold and her price divided between
the sick soldiers and the poor. Therefore she is no longer his to give
away, even to his brother. With Titus I say--if you desire the girl,
Domitian, bid your agent buy her in the market."
"Aye, I will buy her," snarled Domitian, "but this I swear, that soon
or late Titus shall pay the price and one that he will be loth to give.
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