with the question as to who was, in his (T’s) opinion,
the author of the line. As Thrasylos was taxing his
mind for the answer he added a second line thereto:
“Thou seest, with torches now they honor Masgabas,11
and asked him again for the name of the author.
When the questioned-one confined himself to answering
that whoever might have made the lines, they were
excellent, he laughed loudly and made very free and
jocular speeches.
Soon after that he set out for Naples, although
he was still suffering from abdominal troubles and the
sickness became alternately better and worse. In spite
of this, he attended the gymnastic competitions in-
stituted in his honor, remaining there until the finish,
and then journeyed onwards with Tiberius as far as
the destination previously decided upon (Benevento).
— But, on the return journey, his condition became
worse. He was at last compelled to take to his bed and
have Tiberius called back from his journey. He had a
long secret conversation with the latter, after which he
paid no more attention to matters of any importance.
On the last day of his life he repeatedly enquired
whether the public had already become disquieted
on his account, asked for a mirror, had his hair
combed and his sunken cheeks put in order. He
asked his friends, who were admitted to him, if he
had not well played the final scene in life’s drama,
and then added the closing formula (customary on
the stage): “If the piece has pleased you, show it by
handclapping and let me withdraw with signs of your
gratified approval.”
Thereupon he allowed all those present to retire
and, while asking the messenger who had just arrived
from Rome about the sick daughter of Drusus, he
died suddenly in the arms of Livia with the words:
“Farewell, Livia, and think of our happy wedded
life!” His death was easy and painless — such as
he had always wished for.

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