In a stadium in Rome the famous poet Publius Ovidius Naso provokes the Emperor Augustus. Without using the mandatory salutation he addresses his speech to the citizens. The affair runs through the labyrinth of the dictator's administration till it reaches the room of the Emperor. But Augustus is busy watching the rhinoceros in his garden. He only makes a dismissive gesture. Now this movement of his hand is interpreted by the administrative machinery until the verdict is found: Naso is banished to the world's end.