[147] THE VICINITY OF THEIR FLATTERING GALLANTS. See note 141, Vol. II, Ovid’s prescriptions, here mentioned, are found in the _Ars amandi_, I, p. 135. Elsewhere (_Amores_ III. 2) the same author gives us examples of a flattering gallant's conversation with a fair neighbor. [148] ALL THE SPECTATORS' THUMBS WERE TURNED DOWN. See note 23, Vol. II. [149] HABET! He is hit! was the usual acclamation from the audience, when a blow struck home. [150] WHEN THE SERVANTS HAD STREWN THE ARENA WITH SAND. See Mart. _Ep._ II, 75, 5. “For while two boys did rake the sandy floor, With savage rage he both in pieces tore.” [151] CALENUS, A WRETCH--ONE OF THE BROOD OF TRAITORS. The expression is similar to the well-known “_sus de grege Epicuri_.” [152] “WHEN, WHEN IS THIS VISION TO BE FULFILLED?” Perhaps it will not be superfluous to remark, that Barbillus here beholds in imagination the Flavian Amphitheatre, as it afterwards appeared in Catholic Rome--the mighty vine-grown ruins of the Coliseum with the solitary cross in the grass-grown oval of the arena. The Italian government has meantime somewhat changed the picture, by removing the vegetation, which seemed to endanger the venerable ruins by promoting the process of disintegration--certainly to the detriment of the artistic effect. [153] TILL SUPPER-TIME PUTS AN END TO IT FOR TO-DAY. It is here supposed, that the games only lasted until the hour for the principal meal (doubtless delayed on these days). The amusements at the centennial festivals and similar occasions were, however, usually continued through the night. CHAPTER XVIII.