BOOK XV.
Lewis Evans translation
ARGUMENT.
None of the commentators on Lucilius have ventured to give a decisive opinion on the subject of this book, with the exception of Duentzer; who says that the poet intended it as a defense of true tranquillity of mind, in opposition to the precepts and dogmas of the Stoics. In the sixth Fragment we certainly have mention made of a philosopher; but it is only to assert that many common and homely articles in daily and constant use are of more real value than any philosopher of any sect. This, however, may be supposed to be the opinion of some vulgar and ignorant plebeian, or of a woman. In the fifth Fragment we have the character of a wife portrayed, such as Juvenal describes so graphically in his sixth Satire. Indolent and slatternly in her husband's presence, she reserves all her graces of manner and elegance of ornament for the presence of strangers. We have besides a notice of the wonders in Homer's narratives, the praises of a good horse, a picture of a usurer, an account of a soldier who has seen service in Spain, a eulogy of frugality and other matters; how all these can possibly be arranged under one head, is, as Gerlach says, a matter of the greatest obscurity.
1 Men think that many wonders described in Homer's verses are prodigies; among the chief of which is Polyphemus the Cyclops, two hundred feet long: and then besides, his walking-stick, greater than the main-mast in any merchantman—[1779]
2 ... no high-actioned Campanian nag will follow him that has conquered by a mile or two * * * *[1780]
3 ... moreover, as to price, the first is half an as, the second a sestertius, and the third more than the whole bushel.
4 ... in the number of whom, first of all Trebellius ... fever, corruption, weariness, and nausea....[1781]
5 When she is alone with you, any thing is good enough. Are any strange men likely to see her? She brings out her ribbons, her robe, her fillets—[1782]
6 A good cloak, if you ask me, or a hackney, a slave, or a litter-mat, is of more service to me than a philosopher—[1783]
7 ... besides, that accursed usurer, and Syrophœnician, what used he to do?[1784]
8 ... not a single slave ... that, just as though he were a slave, no one can speak his mind freely.[1785]
9 ... since he has served as a soldier in the Iberian land, for about eighteen years of his life—....[1786]
10 ... that in the first place, with them, you are a mad, crack-brained fellow.[1787]
11 ... he knows what a tunic and toga are....
12 a huge bowl, like a muzzle, hangs from his nostrils.[1788]
13 ... a bell and twig-baskets of pot-herbs.[1789]
14 ... he sets him low, and behind....[1790]
15 ... or who with grim face, pounces upon money.[1791]
16 ... there is no flummery-maker inferior to you—[1792]
17 ... their heads are bound; and their forelocks float, high, and covering their foreheads, as their custom was.[1793]
18 ... which compelled ... to drink gall, and wrinkle the belly by coarse bread, and inferior oil, and a loaf from Cumæ.[1794]