Axius, De pavonibus, inquit, libere licet dicas, quoniam discessit Fircellius, qui, secus siquid diceres de iis, gentilitatis causa fortasse an tecum duceret serram.

'You may speak freely about peafowl,' Axius said, 'since Fircellius has gone; if you should say anything out of the way about them, he would perhaps have a bone to pick with you for the credit of the family.'