ASSISTANT MASTER AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL.

London:

MACMILLAN AND CO.,

AND NEW YORK.

1888.

PREFACE.

It is hoped that this series of short stories from A. Gellius may serve as a pleasant change to young boys after a course of Cornelius Nepos, Eutropius, etc. The language of the original has been simplified in parts, and some rare or late words and constructions cut out. The Notes have been made, with few exceptions, as short as possible; a few more lengthy digressions, such as those upon the ablative absolute and the gerundial constructions, will need no apology, if they succeed in leading boys to think out for themselves the difficulties which these constructions present. Some simple Exercises have been added at the request of the Publishers, and for these an English-Latin Vocabulary has been compiled. In this Vocabulary the words are arranged in alphabetical order, since the Exercises are intended principally for viva voce drill in form, and the Editor’s experience does not confirm the theory of some Editors, that a boy’s knowledge of a language is increased in proportion to the time that he spends in hunting for words that he does not know; he considers that the “paragraph” vocabulary makes the lazy boy take refuge in guessing, whilst it wastes the time of the industrious boy.

The Editor acknowledges his obligations to the Latin Grammars of Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Roby, and to Dr. Smith’s Dictionaries of Biography and Antiquities, and to similar works which lie at every schoolmaster’s elbow.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Preface, v

Life of Aulus Gellius, ix

Text of the “Stories from Aulus Gellius,” 1

Notes on the Text, 33

Exercises, 75

Latin-English Vocabulary, 98

English-Latin Vocabulary, 137

Table showing the order of the “Stories” compared with the Books of the “Noctes Atticae,” 147

Index to Notes, 148

Index to Proper Names. 152

I AULUS GELLIUS.

Nothing is known about the life of A. Gellius beyond what can be gathered from occasional hints in his own writings; it has even been disputed whether his name was Agellius or A. Gellius. Probably he was a Roman by birth, of good family and connections. He seems to have spent his early years at Rome, studying under the celebrated teachers, Sulpicius Apollinaris, T. Castricius, and Antonius Julianus (cf. xxxiv. 1): to have continued his studies at Athens, where he lived on terms of familiarity with Herodes Atticus, Calvisius Taurus, Peregrinus Proteus, and other famous philosophers of that day: and after the lapse of many years to have returned to Rome, and devoted the remaining years of his life to literary pursuits and the society of a large circle of friends. The dates of his birth and death are unknown, but from the names of his teachers and friends it is certain that he lived during the reigns of Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, 117-180 A.D.

The only work of A. Gellius that has reached us, possibly the only one that he wrote, is the “Noctes Atticae,” so called because it was begun during the long nights of winter in a country house in Attica (longinquis per hiemen noctibus in agro terrae Atticae). It consists of numerous extracts from Greek and Roman writers on subjects connected with history, philosophy, philology, and antiquities, illustrated by abundant criticisms and discussions. These extracts are thrown together without any attempt at order or arrangement, and divided into twenty books. He had been accustomed whilst reading, he says, to make notes upon anything which struck him as worth remembering. These notes he embodied with little change in his work, in the same haphazard order in which they had been made (usi autem sumus ordine rerum fortuito quem antea in excerpendo feceramus).

Naturally the various parts of such a ‘Miscellany’ vary greatly in quality. Some portions of it are highly valuable and interesting. For instance, many quotations are preserved from ancient authors whose works have perished, some of which throw light upon questions of constitutional and antiquarian interest, which would otherwise have remained obscure; many literary and historical anecdotes are given which are valuable in themselves; and some important grammatical usages and theories are noted. But the author’s appetite was omnivorous. He is as eager to tell the story of a marvellous African serpent, 120 feet in length, whose destruction required the utmost efforts of a whole Roman army, with their ballistae and catapultae (magna totius exercitus conflictione, ballistis atque catapultis diu oppugnatum. —N. A. vii. 3), or to discuss some absurd etymology, such as that of avarus from avidus aeris, as to preserve some really valuable detail of senatorial procedure, or record the use and origin of obscure constitutional phrases. His own criticisms, moreover, are as a rule worthless, and his translations are feeble; but in spite of all these defects his work is exceedingly interesting, and we could ill afford to lose it.

His Latin style shows the defects of his age, an age in which the Romans had ceased to feel the full meaning of the words which they used, and endeavoured to gain emphasis by employing obscure phrases and unnatural turns of expression. But these peculiarities are even more noticeable in the writings of his contemporaries.

STORIES FROM AULUS GELLIUS.

I. Vergil and His Poems.

Vergil, who spent much labour in polishing his verses, used to compare himself to a bear, which licks its cubs into shape.

Dicebat P. Vergilius, ut amici eius familiaresque ferunt, se parere versus more ursino. “Namque ut illa bestia” inquit, “fetum edit informem lambendoque postea conformat et fingit, sic ingenii quoque mei partus primum rudes et inperfecti sunt, sed 5 tractando corrigendoque reddo iis oris et vultus liniamenta.”

Exercises

II. Menander and Philemon.

The poet Menander, meeting his successful rival Philemon, asked him if he did not feel ashamed to defeat him.

Menander a Philemone, nequaquam pari scriptore, in certaminibus comoediarum ambitu gratiâque saepenumero vincebatur. Ei forte obviam factus est Menander, et “Quaeso” inquit, “Philemo, bonâ veniâ dic mihi, cum me vincis, nonne erubescis?” 5

Exercises

III. The Palm Tree.

The palm has been made the emblem of victory, because its wood does not yield, when heavy weights are placed upon it.

Rem hercle mirandam Aristoteles et Plutarchus dicunt. “Si super palmae arboris lignum” inquiunt “magna pondera imponis, non deorsum palma cedit nec intra flectitur, sed adversus pondus resurgit et sursum recurvatur; propterea in certaminibus palma 5 signum victoriae facta est, quoniam urgentibus opprimentibusque non cedit.”

Exercises

IV. Socrates and His Wife.

Socrates, when asked why he endured his quarrelsome wife, replied that to bear her temper was good discipline.

Xanthippe, Socratis philosophi uxor, admodum morosa et litigiosa fuisse fertur, irisque muliebribus per diem perque noctem scatebat. Quam rem in maritum Socraten Alcibiades demiratus, “Cur mulierem” inquit “tam acerbam domo non exigis?” 5 “Quoniam,” respondit Socrates, “cum illam domi talem perpetior, insuesco et exerceor, ut ceterorum quoque foris petulantiam et iniuriam facilius feram.”

Exercises

V. The Self-Discipline of Socrates.

Socrates used to train himself to bear fatigue by standing motionless for twenty-four hours at a time. His health was always perfect.

Inter labores voluntarios corporis firmandi causâ id quoque accepimus Socraten facere insuevisse: stabat per diem perque noctem a lucis ortu ad solem alterum orientem immobilis, iisdem in vestigiis, et ore atque oculis eundem in locum directis, cogitans, 5 tamquam quodam secessu mentis atque animi facto a corpore.

Temperantiâ quoque tantâ fuisse traditus est, ut omnem fere vitam valitudine integrâ vixerit. In eâ etiam pestilentiâ, quae in belli Peloponnensiaci 10 principiis Atheniensium civitatem depopulata est, dicitur vigorem corporis retinuisse.

Exercises

VI. Alexander and Bucephalas.

How Alexander obtained his famous charger Bucephalas, how it saved his life in battle, and how the King showed his gratitude.

Equus Alexandri regis nomine Bucephalas fuit. Emptum Chares scripsit talentis tredecim et regi Philippo donatum; hoc autem aeris nostri summa est sestertia trecenta duodecim. De hoc equo haec memoriâ digna accepimus. Ubi ornatus erat armatusque 5 ad proelium, haud umquam inscendi sese ab alio, nisi ab rege passus est. Bello Indico cum insidens in eo Alexander facinora faceret fortia, in hostium cuneum, non satis sibi providens, inmisit. Coniectis undique in Alexandrum telis, vulneribus altis in cervice atque 10 in latere equus perfossus est. Moribundus tamen ac prope iam exanguis e mediis hostibus regem citato cursu retulit atque, ubi eum extra tela extulerat, ilico concidit et, domini iam superstitis securus, animam expiravit. Tum rex Alexander, partâ eius belli 15 victoriâ, oppidum in iisdem locis condidit idque ob equi honores Bucephalon appellavit.

Exercises

VII. Alcibiades and the Pipes.

Alcibiades, when a boy, refused to learn to play the pipes, because they distorted the player’s mouth.

Alcibiades Atheniensis apud avunculum Periclen educatus est, qui artibus ac disciplinis liberalibus puerum docendum curavit. Inter alios magistros tibicinem arcessi iussit, ut eum canere tibiis doceret, quod honestissimum tum videbatur. Traditas sibi 5 tibias Alcibiades ad os adhibuit inflavitque; sed ubi oris deformitatem vidit, abiecit infregitque. Cum ea res percrebuisset, omnium tum Atheniensium consensu disciplina tibiis canendi desita est.

Exercises

VIII. Fabricius and the Samnite Gold.

Fabricius refused rich presents, which the Samnites offered him, saying that, while he retained command over his senses, he had all that he needed.

Legati a Samnitibus ad C. Fabricium, imperatorem populi Romani, venerunt et, memoratis multis magnisque rebus, quae bene post redditam pacem Samnitibus fecisset, dono grandem pecuniam obtulerunt. “Quae facimus” Samnites inquiunt, “quod multa ad 5 splendorem domus atque victus defieri videmus.” Tum Fabricius manus ab auribus ad oculos et infra deinceps ad nares et ad os et ad gulam deduxit, et legatis ita respondit: “Dum his omnibus membris, quae attigi, imperare possum, numquam quicquam 10 mihi deerit; quamobrem hanc pecuniam, quâ nihil mihi est usus, a vobis, qui eâ uti scitis, non accipio.”

Exercises

IX. Hannibal’s Jest.

Antiochus, proud of his army, asked Hannibal if they were ‘enough for the Romans.’ ‘Quite enough,’ replied Hannibal, ‘however greedy the Romans are.’

Antiochus ostendebat Hannibali in campo copias ingentis, quas bellum populo Romano facturus comparaverat, convertebatque exercitum insignibus argenteis et aureis micantem; inducebat etiam currus cum falcibus et elephantos cum turribus equitatumque 5 frenis, ephippiis, monilibus, phaleris fulgentem. Atque ibi rex Hannibalem aspicit et “Putasne” inquit “satis esse Romanis haec omnia?” Tum Poenus, eludens ignaviam militum eius tam pretiose armatorum, “Satis, plane satis esse credo Romanis haec omnia, etiamsi 10 avarissimi sunt.”

Exercises

X. The Death of Milo.

Milo, when enfeebled by age, tried to tear a tree open, but the wood closed on his hands and he perished miserably.

Milo Crotoniensis, athleta inlustris, exitum habuit e vita miserandum et mirandum. Cum iam natu grandis artem athleticam desisset iterque faceret forte solus in locis Italiae silvestribus, quercum vidit proxime viam rimis in parte mediâ hiantem. 5 Tum experiri 5 etiam tunc volens, an ullae sibi vires adessent, inmissis in cavernas arboris digitis, diducere et rescindere quercum conatus est. Ac mediam quidem partem discidit divellitque; quercus autem in duas diducta partis, cum ille manus laxasset, rediit in 10 naturam, manibusque eius retentis inclusisque dilacerandum hominem feris praebuit.

Exercises

XI. A Hoax:—the Story of Papirius Praetextatus.

The young Papirius, pressed by his mother to reveal the secret proceedings of the Senate, told her that they had debated whether it was better for one husband to have two wives, or one wife two husbands.

Mos antea senatoribus Romae fuit, in curiam cum praetextatis filiis introire. Forte res maior quaepiam consultata et in diem posterum prolata est, placuitque ut eam rem ne quis enuntiaret, priusquam decreta esset. Sed mater Papirii pueri, qui cum patre 5 suo in curiâ fuerat, percontata est filium, quidnam in senatu patres egissent. Puer respondit tacendum esse neque id dici licere. Mulier autem fit audiendi cupidior, ac tandem puer matre urgente lepidi mendacii consilium capit. Actum in senatu dixit, utrum 10 videretur utilius exque republicâ esse, unusne ut duas uxores haberet, an ut una duobus nupta esset.

Exercises

XII. The Result of the Hoax.

The consternation of the Roman Matrons, the bewilderment of the Senators, the confession of Papirius, and the reward for his discretion.

Ubi illa hoc audivit, domo trepidans egreditur, ad ceteras matronas se adfert. Pervenit ad senatum postridie matrum familias caterva. Lacrimantes atque obsecrantes orant, ut una potius duobus nupta fieret quam ut duae uni. Senatores in curiam ingredientes 5 mirabantur, quae illa mulierum insania et quid sibi postulatio istaec vellet. Puer Papirius in medium curiae progressus, quid mater audire institisset, quid ipse matri dixisset, denarrat. Senatus fidem atque ingenium pueri laudat et consultum facit, uti posthac 10 pueri cum patribus in curiam ne introeant, praeter illum unum Papirium, cui postea cognomen honoris gratiâ datum “Praetextatus.”

Exercises

XIII. Sertorius.

The extraordinary influence that Sertorius exercised over the minds of his soldiers, and the means by which he maintained this influence.

Sertorius, vir acer egregiusque dux, et utendi et regendi exercitus peritus fuit. Is in temporibus difficillimis et mentiebatur ad milites, si mendacium prodesset, et litteras compositas pro veris legebat, et somnium simulabat, et falsas religiones conferebat, si 5 quid istae res eum apud militum animos adiuvabant. Haec hominum barbarorum credulitas Sertorio in magnis rebus magno usui fuit. Memoria prodita est, neminem umquam ex his nationibus, quae cum Sertorio faciebant, cum multis proeliis superatus esset, 10 ab eo descivisse, quamquam id genus hominum esset mobilissimum.

Exercises

XIV. Sertorius and the Doe.

Sertorius pretended that divine revelations were made to him through a white doe. This doe once ran away, but was soon found again. The use which Sertorius made of this incident.

Huic Sertorio cerva alba eximiae pulchritudinis et celeritatis a Lusitano quodam dono data est. Hanc persuasit omnibus, oblatam sibi divinitus et instinctam Dianae numine, conloqui secum et monere et docere, quae utilia factu essent, ac, si quid durius videbatur, 5 quod imperandum militibus foret, a cervâ sese monitum praedicabat. Id cum dixerat, universi, tamquam si deo, libentes ei parebant. Ea cerva quodam die, cum incursio hostium esset nuntiata, tumultu consternata in fugam se proripuit atque in palude proximâ delituit, 10 et postea requisita periisse credita est. Neque multis diebus post inventam esse cervam Sertorio nuntiatur. Tum eum qui nuntiaverat iussit tacere ac, ne cui palam diceret, interminatus est praecepitque, ut eam postero die repente in eum locum, in quo ipse cum amicis 15 esset, inmitteret. Admissis deinde amicis postridie, cervam ait, quae periisset, visam esse in quiete ad se reverti et, ut prius consuerat, quod opus esset facto praedicere; tum servo quod imperaverat significat, cerva emissa in cubiculum Sertorii introrupit, 20 clamor factus et orta admiratio est.

Exercises

XV. Tarquin and the Sibylline Books.

A Sibyl offered to sell King Tarquin nine books for a large sum. On his scornful refusal she burnt three, and offered the remaining six for the same sum, but he again refused. She burnt three more and offered the remaining three for the same sum: these the King bought and deposited in the ‘Sacristy.’

In antiquis annalibus haec memoria de libris Sibyllinis prodita est: Anus hospita atque incognita ad Tarquinium Superbum regem adiit, novem libros ferens, quos divina oracula esse dicebat; eos velle vendere. Tarquinius pretium percontatus est. Mulier 5 nimium atque inmensum poposcit: rex, quasi anus aetate desiperet, derisit. Tum illa foculum coram cum igni apponit, tris libros ex novem deurit et, ecquid reliquos sex eodem pretio emere vellet, regem interrogavit. Sed enim Tarquinius id multo magis risit, 10 dixitque anum iam procul dubio delirare. Mulier ibidem statim tris alios libros exussit atque id ipsum denuo placide rogat, ut tris reliquos eodem illo pretio emat. Tarquinius ore iam serio atque attentiore animo fit, eam constantiam confidentiamque non 15 contemnendam intellegit, libros tris reliquos mercatur nihilo minore pretio, quam quod erat petitum pro omnibus. Sed ea mulier tunc a Tarquinio digressa postea nusquam loci visa est. Libri tres, in sacrarium conditi, “Sibyllini” appellati; ad eos quasi ad oraculum 20 quindecimviri adeunt, cum di immortales publice consulendi sunt.

Exercises

XVI. Scipio Africanus Impeached: His Answer.

Scipio was accused of having received bribes from Antiochus. Scorning to answer such a charge, he reminded the people that this was the anniversary of his great victory at Zama, and called upon them to follow him to the Capitol and there return thanks to the gods.

M. Naevius tribunus plebis accusavit Scipionem ad populum, dixitque eum accepisse a rege Antiocho pecuniam, ut condicionibus mollibus pax cum eo populi Romani nomine fieret, et quaedam item alia indigna tali viro addidit. Tum Scipio pauca 5 praefatus, quae dignitas vitae suae atque gloria postulabat, “Memoriâ” inquit, “Quirites, repeto, diem esse hodiernum, quo Hannibalem Poenum, imperio vestro inimicissimum, magno proelio in terrâ Africâ vici, pacemque et victoriam vobis peperi praeclaram. Non 10 igitur simus adversum deos ingrati et, censeo, relinquamus nebulonem hunc, eamus hinc protinus Iovi optimo maximo gratulatum.” Id cum dixisset, avertit et ire ad Capitolium coepit. Tum contio universa, quae ad sententiam de Scipione ferendam convenerat, 15 relicto tribuno Scipionem in Capitolium comitata, atque inde ad aedes eius cum laetitiâ et gratulatione sollemni prosecuta est.

Exercises

XVII. Scipio Africanus: Another Impeachment.

Scipio on another occasion was accused of embezzling the money paid by Antiochus as a war indemnity: he answered the charge by tearing his accounts in pieces before the eyes of the Senators.

Item aliud est factum eius praeclarum. Petilii quidam tribuni plebis a M., ut aiunt, Catone, inimico Scipionis, comparati in eum atque inmissi, desiderabant in senatu, ut pecuniae Antiochinae praedaeque in eo bello captae rationem redderet: fuerat enim 5 L. Scipioni Asiatico, fratri suo, imperatori in eâ provinciâ legatus. Ibi Scipio exurgit et, prolato e sinu togae libro, rationes in eo scriptas esse dixit omnis pecuniae omnisque praedae; allatum, ut palam recitaretur et ad aerarium deferretur. “Sed enim id iam non 10 faciam” inquit, “nec me ipse afficiam contumeliâ,” eumque librum statim coram discidit suis manibus, aegre passus, quod, cui salus imperii ac reipublicae accepta referri deberet, ab eo ratio praedae posceretur.

Exercises

XVIII. Scipio Africanus and the Gods.

Scipio believed that he was a special favourite of the gods: before entering on any important work he used to spend hours of quiet meditation in the temple on the Capitol. A story is given showing his power of foreseeing the future.

Id etiam dicere haut piget, quod ii, qui de vitâ et rebus Africani scripserunt, litteris mandaverunt. Solitus est noctis extremo ante primam lucem in Capitolium ventitare ac iubere aperiri cellam Iovis, atque ibi solus diu demorari, quasi consultans de 5 republicâ cum Iove. Aeditumi eius templi saepe admirati, quod in eum solum id temporis in Capitolium ingredientem canes, semper in alios saevientes, neque latrarent neque incurrerent. Has volgi de Scipione opiniones confirmare atque approbare 10 videbantur dicta factaque eius pleraque admiranda. Ex quibus est unum huiuscemodi. Assidebat oppugnabatque oppidum in Hispaniâ situm, moenibus defensoribusque validum et munitum, re etiam cibariâ copiosum, nullaque eius potiundi spes erat. Quodam 15 die ius in castris sedens dicebat, atque ex eo loco id oppidum procul visebatur. Tum quispiam e militibus, qui in iure apud eum stabant, interrogavit ex more, in quem diem locumque vadimonium promitti iuberet: et Scipio manum ad ipsam oppidi, quod obsidebatur, 20 arcem protendens, perendie sese sistere illo in loco iussit. Atque ita factum: die tertio, in quem vadari iusserat, oppidum captum est eodemque eo die in arce eius oppidi ius dixit.

Exercises

XIX. Duty and Friendship.

How a man, when trying a friend who was guilty, succeeded in reconciling the claims of duty and of friendship, by himself voting for condemnation, but persuading his fellow iudices to vote for acquittal.

Super amici capite iudex cum duobus aliis fui. Ita lex fuit, uti eum hominem condemnari necesse esset. Aut amico igitur caput perdendum aut adhibenda fraus legi fuit. Multa cum animo meo ad casum tam ancipitem medendum consultavi; tandem hoc, quod 5 feci, visum est optimum. Ipse tacitus ad condemnandum sententiam tuli, iis qui simul iudicabant, ut absolverent, persuasi. Sic mihi et iudicis et amici officium in re tantâ salvum fuit.

Exercises

XX. Avoid Obsolete Language.

Favorinus rebuked a young man, who affected the use of archaic language, by telling him to hold his tongue altogether if he did not wish to be understood: if he admired the purity of the good old times he should imitate their ways, not their words.

Favorinus philosophus adulescenti, veterum verborum cupidissimo et plerasque voces nimis priscas et ignotas in cotidianis sermonibus expromenti, “Curius” inquit “et Fabricius et Coruncanius, antiquissimi viri, et his antiquiores Horatii illi trigemini plane ac 5 dilucide cum suis locuti sunt, neque Auruncorum aut Sicanorum aut Pelasgorum, qui primi coluisse Italiam dicuntur, sed aetatis suae verbis usi sunt; tu autem, proinde quasi cum matre Euandri nunc loquare, sermone abhinc multis annis iam desito uteris, quod 10 neminem vis scire atque intellegere quae dicas. Nonne, homo inepte, ut quod vis abunde consequaris, taces? Sed antiquitatem tibi placere ais, quod honesta et bona et sobria et modesta sit. Vive ergo moribus praeteritis, loquere verbis praesentibus: atque id, 15 quod a C. Caesare scriptum est, habe semper in memoriâ atque in pectore, ut tamquam scopulum sic fugias insolens verbum.”

Exercises

XXI. Torquatus and the Gaul:—The Challenge.

In one of the struggles between the Romans and the Gauls in 361 B.C. a gigantic Gaul challenged the Romans to send out a champion to meet him: all held back except the young T. Manlius.

Titus Manlius summo loco natus fuit. Ei cognomen factum est Torquatus. Causa cognomenti fuisse dicitur torquis, quam ex hoste, quem occiderat, detractam induit. Quis hostis fuerit et qualis pugna ita accepimus. 5

Galli contra Romanos pugnabant, cum interim Gallus quidam nudus praeter scutum et gladios duos, torque atque armillis decoratus, qui et viribus et magnitudine et adulescentiâ et virtute ceteros praestabat, processit et manu significare coepit utrisque, ut 10 quiescerent. Extemplo silentio facto voce maximâ conclamat, si quis secum depugnare vellet, uti prodiret. Nemo audebat propter magnitudinem atque inmanem faciem. Deinde Gallus inridere coepit atque linguam exertare. Doluit Titus Manlius, tantum flagitium 15 civitati adcidere, e tanto exercitu neminem prodire. Processit ipse scuto pedestri et gladio Hispanico cinctus et contra Gallum constitit.

Exercises

XXII. Torquatus and the Gaul:—The Battle.

In the struggle which followed Manlius disconcerted the Gaul by suddenly with his shield dashing him back from his posture of defence; he then came to close quarters with the Gaul, and slew him. He put on his own neck the necklace which the Gaul had worn; hence he was named Torquatus. This same Manlius executed his son for disobeying orders and slaying an enemy who had challenged him.

Metu magno ea congressio in ipso ponte, utroque exercitu inspectante, facta est. Constitit Gallus suâ disciplinâ scuto proiecto cunctabundus; Manlius, animo magis quam arte confisus, scuto scutum percussit atque statum Galli conturbavit. Dum se Gallus iterum eodem 5 pacto constituere studet, Manlius iterum scuto scutum percutit atque de loco hominem iterum deiecit; eo pacto ei sub Gallicum gladium successit atque Hispanico pectus hausit; deinde continuo umerum dextrum incidit neque recessit usquam, donec subvertit. Ubi eum 10 evertit, caput praecidit, torquem detraxit eamque sanguinulentam sibi in collum inponit. Quo ex facto ipse posterique eius Torquati sunt cognominati.

Ab hoc Tito Manlio imperia et aspera et immitia Manlia dicta sunt, quoniam postea, cum bello adversum 15 Latinos esset consul, filium suum securi percussit, qui speculatum ab eo missus, pugnâ interdictâ, hostem, a quo provocatus fuerat, occiderat.

Exercises

XXIII. Valerius Corvinus:—The Origin Of His Name.

On another occasion the young Valerius accepted the challenge of a gigantic Gaul. During the fight a raven aided the Roman by attacking his enemy with its talons; thus helped Valerius slew the Gaul, and received the name of Corvinus.

Copiae Gallorum ingentes agrum Pomptinum insederant instruebanturque acies a consulibus. Dux interea Gallorum, vastâ proceritate armisque auro praefulgentibus, manu telum vibrans incedebat perque contemptum et superbiam circumspicit despicitque 5 omnia, et venire iubet et congredi, si quis pugnare secum ex omni Romano exercitu auderet. Tum Valerius adulescens, tribunus iam militaris, ceteris inter metum pudoremque ambiguis, impetrat a consulibus, ut in Gallum pugnare sese permitterent, et 10 progreditur intrepidus obviam. Et congrediuntur et consistunt et conserebantur iam manus. Atque ibi vis quaedam divina fit: corvus repente advolat et super galeam tribuni insistit atque inde in adversarii os atque oculos pugnare incipit, eius manum unguibus 15 laniabat atque, ubi satis saevierat, revolabat in galeam tribuni. Sic tribunus, spectante utroque exercitu, et suâ virtute nixus et operâ, alitis adiutus, ducem hostium ferocissimum vicit interfecitque, atque ob hanc causam cognomen habuit Corvinum. 20

Statuam Corvino isti divus Augustus in foro suo statuendam curavit. In eius statuae capite corvi simulacrum est, rei pugnaeque, quam diximus, monimentum.

Exercises

XXIV. Aesop.

Aesop in his fables gives good advice in a pleasant way, and hence men attend to him. An instance of this is his fable of the lark, which has been put into verse by Ennius.

Aesopus ille e Phrygia fabularum scriptor haud inmerito sapiens existimatus est; quae enim utilia monitu suasuque erant, non severe praecepit, ut philosophis mos est, sed hilares iucundosque apologos commentus, in mentes hominum cum audiendi quâdam 5 inlecebrâ induit. Velut haec eius fabula de parvae avis nidulo lepide praemonet spem fiduciamque rerum, quas efficere quis possit, haut umquam in alio, sed in semetipso habendam. Hunc Aesopi apologum Q. Ennius in satiris versibus quadratis composuit, quorum 10 duo postremi hi sunt:

Exercises

XXV. A Fable of Aesop:—The Lark and the Reapers.

A certain lark found the corn, in which it had built, ripe for cutting before its young were fledged. It therefore ordered them to report anything unusual which might happen in its absence. The first day they announced that the master had been to the field and had sent to ask his friends to help him to reap the corn. On hearing this the mother said that there was no immediate need for them to leave the field.

Avis est parva, nomen est cassita. Habitat in segetibus, id ferme temporis ut appetat messis pullis iam iam plumantibus. Ea cassita in sementes forte congesserat tempestiviores; propterea frumentis flavescentibus pulli etiam tunc inplumes erant. Dum igitur 5 ipsa iret cibum pullis quaesitum, monet eos, ut, si quid ibi rei novae fieret dicereturve, animadverterent idque sibi, ubi rediisset, nuntiarent. Dominus postea segetum illarum filium adulescentem vocat et 10 “Videsne” inquit “haec maturuisse et manus iam postulare? idcirco cras, ubi primum dilucescit, fac amicos eas et roges, ut veniant operamque mutuam dent et in hac messi nos adiuvent.” Haec ubi ille dixit, et discessit. Atque ubi redit cassita, pulli tremibundi orare matrem, ut iam statim properet inque alium 15 locum sese asportet: “Nam dominus” inquiunt “misit, qui amicos roget, uti luce oriente veniant et metant.” Mater iubet eos otioso animo esse: “Si enim dominus” inquit “messim ad amicos reiicit, cras seges non metetur, neque necesse est hodie uti vos auferam.” 20

Exercises

XXVI. The Lark and the Reapers (Continued).

Next day the young ones reported that the master, finding his friends had not come, had sent to ask the aid of his relations. The mother still tells them to be in no fear, and next day again goes out to seek food. This time the young ones report that the master, finding his relations lingered, had determined to cut the corn himself. On hearing this the mother announces that they must go at once.

Die postero mater in pabulum volat. Dominus, quos rogaverat, opperitur. Sol fervit, et fit nihil; it dies, et amici nulli eunt. Tum ille rursum ad filium “Amici isti” inquit “cessatores sunt. Quin potius imus et cognatos adfinesque nostros oramus, ut adsint cras ad 5 metendum?” Itidem hoc pulli pavefacti matri nuntiant. Mater hortatur, ut tum quoque sine metu ac sine curâ sint; cognatos adfinesque nullos ferme tam faciles esse ait, ut ad laborem capessendum nihil cunctentur et statim dicto oboediant: “Vos modo” inquit 10 “advertite, si modo quid denuo dicetur.” Aliâ luce ortâ avis in pastum profecta est. Cognati et adfines operam, quam dare rogati sunt, neglexerunt. Ad postremum igitur dominus filio “Valeant” inquit “amici cum propinquis. Afferes primâ luce falces 15 duas; unam egomet mihi et tu tibi capies alteram et frumentum nosmetipsi manibus nostris cras metemus.” Id ubi ex pullis dixisse dominum mater audivit, “Tempus” inquit “est cedendi et abeundi; fiet nunc dubio procul quod futurum dixit. In ipso enim iam 20 vertitur cuia res est, non in alio, unde petitur.” Atque ita cassita e nido migravit, seges a domino demessa est.

Exercises

XXVII. Pyrrus and Fabricius.

A friend of King Pyrrus came to the Roman general Fabricius and offered to poison the King for a bribe. Fabricius reported the matter to the Senate, who warned Pyrrus to be on his guard. Pyrrus showed his gratitude by sending back all the Roman prisoners.

Cum Pyrrus rex in terrâ Italiâ esset et unam atque alteram pugnas prospere pugnasset et pleraque Italia ad regem descivisset, tum Ambraciensis quispiam Timochares, regis Pyrri amicus, ad C. Fabricium consulem furtim venit ac praemium petivit et, si de 5 praemio conveniret, promisit se regem venenis necaturum; idque facile esse factu dixit, quoniam filius suus pocula in convivio regi ministraret. Eam rem Fabricius ad senatum scripsit. Senatus ad regem legatos misit mandavitque, ut de Timochare nihil 10 proderent, sed monerent, uti rex cautius ageret atque a proximorum insidiis salutem tutaretur. Quamobrem Pyrrus populo Romano laudes atque gratias scripsisse dicitur captivosque omnes, quos tum habuit, vestivisse et reddidisse. 15

Exercises