You are welcome to my home. I am busy these days preparing for my campaign in the East, my commitments lying often elsewhere with the Army. As Pontifex Maximus, however, the Domus Publica is at your service. My servants will inquire how they can be of assistance. My reputation for aloofness has been somewhat exaggerated by my enemies.

As I once wrote Cicero, "You rightly surmise of me (you know me well) that of all things I abhor cruelty...I am not disturbed by the fact that those whom I have released are said to have left the country in order to make war against me once more. Nothing pleases me better than that I should be true to my nature and they to theirs."