The Silver Branch Quotes

“The young Centurion, who had been completely still throughout, said very softly, as though to himself, "Greater love hath no man--" and Justin thought it sounded as though he were quoting someone else.”
― Rosemary Sutcliff, The Silver Branch

“I simply--don't know," Flavius said, and then suddenly explosive: "I don't know and I don't care! Go to bed.”
― Rosemary Sutcliff, The Silver Branch

“It is very hot tonight," Justin said, and loosed the folds of his light cloak, revealing the sprig of rye-grass thrust through the bronze clasp at the neck of his tunic.”
― Rosemary Sutcliff, The Silver Branch

“Always, everywhere, the Wolves gather on the frontiers, waiting. It needs only that a man should lower his eye for a moment, and they will be in to strip the bones. Rome is failing, my children.”
― Rosemary Sutcliff, The Silver Branch

“be that your cousin has influenced you in some way—but as for our Junior Surgeon,” he turned to Carausius, “I remember that when first he was posted here, you yourself, Caesar, were not too sure of his good faith. This is surely some plot of Maximian’s, to cast doubt and suspicion between the Emperor of Britain and the man who, however unworthily, serves him to the best of his ability as chief minister.” Justin stepped forward, his hands clenched at his sides. “That is a foul lie,” he said, for once without a trace of his stutter. “And you know it, Allectus; none better.” “Will you grant me also a space to speak?” Carausius said quietly, and silence fell like a blight on the lamplit chamber. He looked round at all three of them, taking his time. “I remember my doubts, Allectus. I remember also that the”
― Rosemary Sutcliff, The Silver Branch

“Does one refuse to ride with an Emperor?'

'If one is wise, one does not.”
― Rosemary Sutcliff, The Silver Branch