midday
`` I know , against the Christians ? '' `` Yes , lord . '' `` Is it long since the pursuit was begun ? '' `` Some divisions were sent to the Trans-Tiber before midday . '' When he had said this , the centurion shook a little wine from the goblet in honor of Mars ; then he emptied it , and said , -- `` May the gods grant thee , lord , what thou desirest . '' `` Take the goblet too , '' said Petronius . Then he gave a sign to Anthemios to finish the hymn to Apollo .