Decens

After Felix told the story, everyone applauded. Then the guests were silent and were waiting for another story. Suddenly they heard a shout, and everyone hurried to the atrium, where Clemens was standing.

Caecilius: By Hercules! What is it? Why are you making a noise?

Clemens: Decens, Decens...

Caecilius and Everyone Else: What is it?

Clemens: Decens is dead.

Caecilius: What? Dead? Alas!

(Two servants enter.)

First Servant: What are you saying? My master was coming to your house; he saw a gladiator near the amphitheatre.

Second Servant: The gladiator frightened my master because he was waving a huge sword. Then the gladiator shouted, “You do not frighten me, lion! You do not frighten me! The lions killed my friend in the arena, but you do not frighten me!”

First Servant: Decens was very afraid. “You are insane,” said my master. “I am not a lion. I am a man.”

Second Servant: However, the gladiator fiercely attacked my master and dragged him to the amphitheatre. My terrified master shouted. Clemens heard the shout.

First Servant:

Metella: Clemens, because he was brave, entered the amphitheatre. He caught sight of Decens in the arena. My master was dead. I understand the matter! The gladiator was Pugnax. Pugnax was a very famous gladiator. Pugnax once fought in the arena, and a lion killed Pugnax. Pugnax does not live; Pugnax is a ghost. The ghost killed Decens.