BOOK II.
ARGUMENT.
On the subject of this book the commentators differ: some supposing that it was directed against luxury and effeminacy. But the avarice and licentiousness of the times form a considerable portion of the writings of Lucilius, and there are very few of his Satires in which these are not incidentally glanced at. From the sixth Fragment, which after all is a very obscure one, Ellendt supposed it was written to expose Æmilius Scaurus. Corpet maintains that it contained the description of a sanguinary brawl, in which many persons were engaged; that one person was taken up for dead, his house purified (Fr. 22), and all preparations made for his funeral, when some one saw another lying in his bier. Fr. 1. It is quite clear that Fr. 14, 24, and perhaps 2, refer to luxury; if by Manlius, in the second Fragment, is intended Cn. Manlius Vulso. (Vid. note.)
1 ... whom, when Hortensius and Posthumius had seen, the rest, too, saw that he was not on his bier, and that another was lying there.
2 Hostilius ... against the plague and ruin which that halting Manlius, too, [introduced among] us.[1615]
3 ... which were all removed in two hours, when the sun set, and was enveloped in darkness.[1616]
4 ... that he, having been ill-treated, attacked the other's jaws, and beat the breath out of him.
5 Now for the name: next I will tell you what I have got out of the witnesses, by questioning.[1617]
6 ... which I charm and wrest and elicit from Æmilius.[1618]
7 I say not. Even though he conquer, let him go like a vagabond into exile, and roam an outlaw.[1619]
8 The prætor is now your friend; but if Gentilis die this year, he will be mine—[1620]
9 ... if he has left on his posteriors the mark of a thick and large-headed snake.[1621]
10 Of a rough-actioned, sorry, slow-paced jade—[1622]
11 ... that unclean, shameless, plundering fellow.[1623]
12 Sleeved tunics of gold tissue, scarfs, drawers, turbans.[1624]
13 What say you? Why was it done? What is that guess of yours?
14 ... who may now ruin you, Nomentanus, you rascal, in every thing else!
15 So surrounded was I with all the cakes.[1625]
16 ... to penetrate the hairy purse.[1626]
17 ... for a man scarce alive and a mere shadow.[1627]
18 ... as skilled in law.
19 ... he would lead these herds—
20 ... for what need has he of the amulet and image attached to him, in order to devour fat bacon and make rich dishes by stealth.[1628]
21 ... her that shows light by night.[1629]
22 ... purified—expiated—
23 ... a journey from the lowermost (river) to be told, and heard.
24 Long life to you, gluttons, gormandizers, belly-gods.[1630]
25 ... him that wanders through inhospitable wastes there accompanies the greater satisfaction of things conceived in his mind.[1631]