Annulus in digito quod ferreus. Ergo superbum Ossea: non tamen his ulla unquam opsonia fiunt Nec frustum capreae subducere, nec latus Afrae 131 Adeo] "So absolutely destitute am I of so much as an ounce of ivory." 135, 136] "The bone handles carve as well as ivory, and the meat tastes just as nice; but you won't get a professional carver either" (any more than an ornamental knife). 137 Trypheri] Tpu¢épov, delicate. 139 Scythicae volucres] Generally taken for pheasants, which Pertinax never served at private feasts; and Alex. Severus only "Jovis epulo et Saturnalibus et hujusmodi festis diebus." phoenicopterus ingens] "The tongue and brain of the flamingo were most esteemed." Mayor. 140] The wooden dinner represents the greatest dainties; but they are taught to carve it with blunt knives, as good workmen should never find fault with their 130 135 140 145 tools.-Lautissima cannot refer to their present attainment, as they are so noisy. In another writer one would hardly venture to suspect, at the expense of the connection, that hebeti lautissima ferro refers exclusively to Gaetulus oryx, and translate "And the Gaetulian oryx is cut up with a blunt knife, which is the best way to keep the flavour of the meat. 142, sq.] "Not having been taught to carve dainty dishes, he does not know how to steal from them." The Roman servants seem to have stolen at table.-Avis Afrae, probably guinea fowl. 144 ofellae]"Et quae non egeant ferro structoris ofellae" (Mart. x. xlviii. 15). Diminutive of 'offa,' the first shortened, as 'mamilla,' from 'mamma.' 146 a frigore tutus] "Not halfnaked." He needs to be decently Non Phryx aut Lycius, non a mangone petitus Quisquam erit; in magno quum posces, posce Latine. Atque hodie tantum propter convivia pexi. 150 Pastoris duri est hic filius, ille bubulci: Quales esse decet, quos ardens purpura vestit: 155 A quibus ipse venit, quorum sub vertice lusit: 160 Namque una atque eadem est vini patria atque ministri. clad, being used to live out of 148 in magno quum posces] "When you call for a bumper.' Most MSS. give the obvious guess et magno as an addition to what goes before, bought from a dealer and at a high price. Macleane defends it by asking, Why should he not call for a small cup? Because the slave would hand it as a matter of course. 149 Idem habitus cunctis] I have no special favourite. 153 notos] You will frighten him, you are a stranger. 154, 155] My slave is an example of modesty to 'ingenui.' 165 157 vellendas jam praebuit alas] As a debauched master might say of a slave that was growing up too fast. 159] The wine is not of the famous Greek kinds or of the choice sorts of south Italy. 162 Gaditana] Dancing girls seem to have been the principal and absorbing luxury of this great trading station, which was founded by orientals before the Greek and Roman forms of dissipation were invented, nor were these, if they ever penetrated as far as Gades, so well suited to elderly business men, who must have given the tone, as the dreamy contemplation of voluptuous dances. 165, 166] are so hopelessly without a place, that they are omitted in the same sort of MSS. as omit 108. Others place them Quod pudeat narrasse aliquem praesentibus ipsis: Divitis urticae. Major tamen ista voluptas Et gratam requiem dona tibi, quando licebit 185 Nocte solet, tacito bilem tibi contrahat uxor, Protinus ante meum, quidquid dolet, exue limen : Interea Megalesiacae spectacula mappae, 191 illis]? Dative: whatever they amuse themselves by breaking or losing: perit is exactly the passive of perdo. 193 mappae] By dropping which he gave the signal for the start. 195 Praeda] "Whose horses eat up his fortune." There is an allusion to Diomedes of Thrace. 197 Totam Romam] As we say, "All the world is out of town." 190 195 200 205 the Star Chamber. Cf. vii. 114 n. 199 si deficeret] "Si vinceretur Prassinos" (Schol.). 203 contracta] "In a corner.' "Contractusque leget" (Hor. Ep. I. vii. 12). 204 togam] Ruperti connects this with cultae puellae (202) and refers it to the 'toga meretricis,' and is duly scolded by Macleane, who refers quinque diebus to the five remaining days of the Megalesiaca. Cf. note, iii. 172. The toga was worn in such an elaborate manner as to be uncomfortable and troublesome.— Salva fronte, "and still hold up your head." 208] So Milton : "He who of such delights can judge and spare, To interpose them oft is not unwise." SATIRA XII. NATALI, Corvine, die mihi dulcior haec lux, 5 ΙΟ 15 mero] Ablative. The usual dat. of the agent could easily be supplied. = II Hispulla] Hisponilla, from Hispo; so Marulla, from Maro. 12 finitima in herba] The hill pastures round Arpinum contrasted with the rich water meadows of the Clitumnus. 13, 14] "You should say his blood did credit to the pastures of Clitumnus, and that it would take a tall sacrificer to give the blow, as he went along." 15] "Still trembling at the horrors he endured but now.' 99 |