A King`s Trade

PROLOGUE

"Vir bonus," omne forum quem spectat et omne tribunal… "Iane, pater!" clare, clare cum dixit "Apollo"; labra movet metuens audiri: "Pulchra Laverna, da mihi fallere, da iusto sanctoque videri! Noctem peccatis et fraudibus obice nubem!"

This "good man," for forum and tribunal, the cynosure of every eye…cries with loud voice, "Father Janus!," with loud voice, "Apollo!," then moves his lips, fearing to be heard; "Fair Laverna, grant me to escape detection, grant me to pass as just and upright, shroud my sins in night, my lies in clouds!"

Horace, Epistles I, xvi, 57-62

"Laverna, the ancient goddess of thieves