Led me my Varus to his flame,As I from Forum idling came.Forthright some whorelet judged I itNor lacking looks nor wanting wit,When hied we thither, mid us threeFell various talk, as how might beBithynia now, and how it fared,And if some coin I made or spared."There was no cause (I soothly said)"The Praetors or the Cohort madeThence to return with oilier head;The more when ruled byPraetor, as pile the Cohort rating."Quoth they, "But certes as 'twas thereThe custom rose, some men to bearLitter thou boughtest ?" I to herTo seem but richer, wealthier,Cry, "Nay, with me 'twas not so illThat, given the Province suffered, stillEight stiff-backed loons I could not buy.'