BOOK XXIX.
Lewis Evans translation
ARGUMENT.
The remains of this book are so mutilated and so diversified, that, as Gerlach says, "one might be disposed to imagine that the very essence of the subject was its unconnected variety." Both he and Merula, however, consider that it contained a long episode on the state of morality in the good old days; when the war with Hannibal rendered a luxurious indulgence incompatible even with personal safety. (Cf. Juv., vi., 291. Sulpic., 51, 52.) An old man is introduced inveighing bitterly against the sloth, the luxury, and immoderate extravagance of the young men of his day; of their unscrupulousness as to the means by which the money was acquired, which was squandered on their licentious pleasures. He then describes one of these scenes of dissipation; and shows how young men, once entangled in the snares of their worthless paramours not only become lost to every principle of virtue and sense of shame, but are so completely enslaved and enthralled by their passions, that they are able to refuse nothing, however unworthy of them, which is exacted by their tyrannical mistresses. This corruption extends itself, also, not only to the courts of law, where justice has become a matter of barter, both with advocates and judges, but its fatal effects may also be traced in the debasement and deterioration of literature, of poetry, and of the public taste.
1 When he has done this, the culprit will be handed over along with others to Lupus: he will not appear. He will deprive the man of both primary matter and elements: when he has prohibited him from the use of water and fire, he has still two elements: he would have preferred ... still he will deprive him—[1915]
2 ... and rest assured in your mind, that it will be a very weighty reason indeed with me, which would draw me away from any thing that would serve you.
3 ... who communicates to me what the difference is between the race of mankind and brutes, and what it is connects them together.
4 Apollo is the deity who will not suffer you to bring disgrace and infamy on the ancient Delians.[1916]
5 For he swears a great oath that he has written, and will not write afterward.... and return into fellowship.
6 ... when you have learnt, you may pass your life without care.
7 ... at the close of the year, days of mourning, sorrow, and ill-luck.[1917]
8 ... and loved all; for he makes no difference, and separates them by a white line....
So in love, and in the case of young men of rather better face, he marks.... and loves nothing.[1918]
9 Why do you give way to excessive anger? You had better keep your hands off a woman!
10 ... you could not take it away before you took the spirit of Tullius from the man, and killed the man himself.[1919]
11 We heard he appealed to his friends, with that rascal Lucilius.
12 besides that you would wish us to direct, and apply our minds to your words
13 So, I say, was that crafty fellow, that old wolf, Hannibal, taken in.[1920]
14 But they are not alike, and do not give. What if they would give? Would you accept, tell me?
15 ... convey him, like a runaway slave, with handcuffs, fetters, and collar.[1921]
16 ... who will both beg you for less, and grant their favors much better, and without disgrace.[1922]
17 If you wish to detain him....
18 Albinus, in grief, confines himself to his house, because he has divorced his daughter....[1923]
19 ... to foment another's hungry stomach with ground barley like a poultice.[1924]
20 I know for certain it is as you say: for I had thoroughly examined into all.
21 ... she will bring you youth and elegance, if you think that elegance.
22 ... first opposite.... if there is any garret to which he can retire.
23 ... and in the gymnasium, that after the old fashion you might retain spectators.
24 ... where there was a scout to shut him out from you, and nip his passion in the bud.[1925]
25 When he sees me, he wheedles and coaxes, scratches his head, and picks out the vermin.[1926]
26 What will it profit me, when I am now sated with all things.
27 ...[1927]
28 Go on, I pray; and if you can, make me think myself worthy of you.
29 ... this he would have found the only thing for the man's disease.
30 This is their way of reckoning: the items are falsified: the sum total roguishly balanced.[1928]
31 These fellows will balance their accounts exactly in the same way—[1929]
32 Come, now, add up the expenditure, and then add on the debts.
33 ... suffering from a Chironian and not a mortal sore and wound.[1930]
34 ... what you have hired at a great price is dear; though with no great loss.[1931]
35 ... all their hope rests in me, that I may be bilked of my money.[1932]
36 ... would not return ... and banish her poor wretch.[1933]
37 ... we have all been plundered.
38 ... distribute, scatter, squander, dissipate....
39 ... collect assistance, though she does not deserve I should bring it.
40 ... you think me your patron, friend, and lover....
41 ... that in this matter, you should bring me aid and assistance
42 ... Do you, meantime, bring a light, and draw the curtains.[1934]
43 ... thank me for introducing you.
44 ... then he subjoins that which is even now well known.
45 I will hit his leg with a stone, if he strikes you....
46 Let no one break these double hinges with iron....[1935]
47 I will break through the hinges with a crowbar and two-edged iron.
48 I shall pass quickly through each winter.[1936]
49 Sends forth his pent-houses, prepares sheds and mantlets.[1937]
50 ... add all the rest in order, at my peril.
51 ... for a little while, they will devour me; while she, like a very polypus....[1938]
52 ... rise, woman, draw not a bad outline....[1939]
53 ... since while they are extricating others, they get into the mud themselves—
54 ... he came here, on his way, while he was traveling elsewhere.
55 ... what? he would himself share for learning what is good.[1940]
56 ... as if he had not got what he wished for.
57 ... nor the cloudless breezes favor with their blast—[1941]
58 ... whence he can scarcely get home, and hardly get clear out.
59 ... and heaviness often oppresses you, by your own fault.[1942]
60 ... the annihilation of our army to a man—
61 ... thrust forth by force, and driven out of Italy.
62 ... this then he possessed, and nearly all Apulia—
63 ... with some intricate beginning out of Pacuvius.
64 ... may the king of gods avert ill-omened words.[1943]
65 ... rails at wretched me too....
66 ... first he denies that Chrysis returns intact.[1944]
67 ... the Greeks call tripping up.[1945]
68 ... all things alike he separates ... and heinous.[1946]
69 ... What man art thou? Man! no man....[1947]
70 ...[1948]
71 ... all other things in which we are carried away, not to be prolix.[1949]
72 † ....[1950]
73[1951]