Hadrian in Baiae
Hadrian in Baiae | Hadrian in Baiae A Very Short Story By Michael Novakhov (Mike Nova) Epigraph: Animula vagula blandula, Hospes comesque corporis, Quae nunc abibis? in loca Pallidula rigida nudula – Nec ut soles dabis iocos... Hadrian: A little poem 1. Canopus By night the heat relented; in the distance, on the shore, Canopus flickered with fireflies of torches. The Nile was smooth, listless, a trireme was barely noticeable, lazily swaying in its waters. Adrian dictated the letter, Antinous massaged his sore shoulder and from time to time poured wine into the silver cup. Two centurions in tunics suddenly jumped up to me, one of them pointed a sword at my ribs. "Who are you, and what did you come for?" – Hadrian asked warily and sternly. I don't remember what I answered him, but probably something that satisfied him. He nodded to the centurions and they retreated, but remained standing at a distance, readily. W...