took her fancy

Such petitions were part of the role of the notability as understood at the time; a manifestation of their social hegemony was the obligation to speak for or represent the local community to the imperial center.

The humble dung-beetle was at least a fact. All this psychic stuff is not. No doubt you have good grounds for your views, chirped the mischievous Millworthy, a mild youth with a velvety manner.

Indeed it is very doubtful that Seneca's plays were ever intended for full performance; it is more likely that they were presented by a cast of reciters, like an oratorio.