Joints of meat are salted, dried, and smoked for the army on its march through the desert.

The butler no longer thinks of drinking-bouts, but brings me wine in great stone jars; we pour it into well-closed skins for the soldiers, and the best sorts we put into strong flasks, carefully sealed with pitch, that they may perform the journey uninjured, and warm and rejoice the hearts of our heroes.

All that, and much more, I manage and arrange, and my days pass in hard work.

The Gods send me no bright visions in the night, for after utter fatigue--I sleep soundly.

But I know that I am of use.