"But the Vicus Patricius?"
"On fire!" replied Junius.
"The Trans-Tiber?"
Junius looked at him with amazement.
"Never mind the Trans-Tiber," said he, pressing his aching temples with his palms.
"The Trans-Tiber is more important to me than all other parts of Rome," cried Vinicius, with vehemence.
"The way is through the Via Portuensis, near the Aventine; but the heat will stifle thee. The Trans-Tiber? I know not. The fire had not reached it; but whether it is not there at this moment the gods alone know." Here Junius hesitated a moment, then said in a low voice: "I know that thou wilt not betray me, so I will tell thee that this is no common fire. People were not permitted to save the Circus. When houses began to burn in every direction, I myself heard thousands of voices exclaiming, 'Death to those who save!' Certain people ran through the city and hurled burning torches into buildings. On the other hand people are revolting, and crying that the city is burning at command. I can say nothing more. Woe to the city, woe to us all, and to me! The tongue of man cannot tell what is happening there. People are perishing in flames or slaying one another in the throng. This is the end of Rome!"