midday
I made no answer , for there was truth in his words . And yet to me the city seemed very fair to look on . After we had eaten , my uncle told me it was now time to set out to view the march of Cleopatra , as she went in triumph to the Shrine of Serapis . For although she would not pass till within two hours of the midday , yet these people of Alexandria have so great a love of shows and idling that had we not presently set forth , by no means could we have come through the press of the multitudes who were already gathering along the highways where the Queen must ride . So we went out to take our places upon a stand , built of timber , that had been set up at the side of the great road which pierces through the city , to the Canopic Gate . For my uncle had already purchased a right to enter there , and that dearly . We won our way with much struggle through the great crowds that were already gathered in the streets till we reached the scaffolding of timber , which was roofed in with an awning and gaily hung with scarlet cloths .