Is there smoke in the room? If it be slight, I remain; if grievous, I quit it. For you must remember this and hold it fast, that the door stands open. "You shall not dwell at Nicopolis!" Well and good. "Nor at Athens." Then I will not dwell at Athens either. "Nor at Rome." Nor at Rome either. "You shall dwell in Gyara!" Well: but to dwell in Gyara seems to me like a grievous smoke; I depart to a place where none can forbid me to dwell: that habitation is open unto all! As for the last garment of all, that is the poor body; beyond that, none can do aught unto me. This why Demetrius said to Nero: "You threaten me with death; it is Nature who threatens you!" |