How well I remember Safinius; he lived near the old arch, when I was a boy.

For a man, he was one hot proposition! Wherever he went, the ground smoked! But he was square, dependable, a friend to a friend, you could safely play mora with him, in the dark.

But how he did peel them in the town hall: he spoke no parables, not he! He did everything straight from the shoulder and his voice roared like a trumpet in the forum.

He never sweat nor spat.

I don't know, but I think he had a strain of the Asiatic in him.