THE house of Vinicius was indeed decked in the green of myrtle and ivy, which had been hung on the walls and over the doors.

The columns were wreathed with grape vine.

In the atrium, which was closed above by a purple woollen cloth as protection from the night cold, it was as clear as in daylight.

Eight and twelve flamed lamps were burning; these were like vessels, trees, animals, birds, or statues, holding cups filled with perfumed olive oil, lamps of alabaster, marble, or gilded Corinthian bronze, not so wonderful as that famed candlestick used by Nero and taken from the temple of Apollo, but beautiful and made by famous masters.

Some of the lights were shaded by Alexandrian glass, or transparent stuffs from the Indus, of red, blue, yellow, or violet color, so that the whole atrium was filled with many colored rays.
Everywhere was given out the odor of nard, to which Vinicius had grown used, and which he had learned to love in the Orient.