BOOK VIII.
Lewis Evans translation
ARGUMENT.
The eighth book, as Schoenbeck supposes, consisted of an exposition of domestic life, with a discussion as to the virtues which a good wife ought to possess. Duentzer would rather connect it with the last book, and imagines unlawful love to have been the theme, and that the ancient title of the book countenanced this opinion. The second, fourth, fifth, eleventh, and thirteenth Fragments seem to confirm the conjecture; the drift of the others is not apparent.
1 When the victor cock proudly rears himself, and raises his front talons—
2 When I drink from the same cup, embrace, press lip to lip....[1715]
3 But on the river, and at the very parting of the waters, ... a merchantman ... with feet of holm-oak.[1716]
4 ... that she is slender, nimble, with clean chest, and like a youth....[1717]
5 ... then she joins side to side, and breast to breast.[1718]
6 If he achieve the whole route, and the steep stadium at an ambling pace—[1719]
7 To salt sea-eels, and bring the wares into the larder.[1720]
8 But all trades and petty gains....
9 the Hiberian island....[1721]
10 a necessary close at hand; a bake-house, store-room, kitchen[1722]
11 ... with friendly hand wipes off the tears....
12 ... giblets, or else liver....[1723]
13 ... the work flags....[1724]
14 ... wine-bibbers.[1725]