BOOK IV.
ARGUMENT.
The Scholiast, on the third Satire of Persius, tells us that the subject of that Satire, which is directed against the luxury and vices of the rich, was borrowed from the fourth book of Lucilius. In all probability the form of the Satire is not the same; as the dialogue between the severe censor and his pupils approaches too near the Greek form, to have suited the taste of Lucilius. No doubt there is a much closer imitation in the second Satire of Horace's second book, which also was confessedly composed upon this model; where the plain and rustic simplicity of Ofella takes the place of the grave and sententious philosophy of the more dignified Lælius. The first six Fragments are evidently to be referred to Lælius; expatiating on the praises of frugality, and exhibiting, by examples, the hollowness of all the pleasures of luxury and gluttony. We have then allusions to a combat of gladiators; and several references to women, and to the impetuous and restless anxieties attendant upon the passion of love; which are inconsistent with the character of Lælius, and were therefore put into the mouth of some other speaker.
To the first part of the Satire we may probably refer the Fragments 192, 193, 132, 133, incert.
1 * * * *
At which that wise Lælius used to give vent to railings; addressing the Epicures of our order—[1656]
2 "Oh thou glutton, Publius Gallonius! a miserable man thou art!" he says. "Thou hast never in all thy life supped well, though all thou hast thou squanderest on that lobster and gigantic sturgeon!"[1657]
3 If you ask me, we enjoy food well cooked, and seasoned and pleasing conversation—[1658]
4 ... because you prefer sumptuous living, and dainties to wholesome food—
5 ... to devise besides what each wished to be brought to him; one was attracted by sow's udder, and a dish of fatlings, another by a Tiber pike caught between the two bridges—[1659]
6 ... let there be wine poured from a full.... with the hollow of the hand for a siphon; from which the snow has abated naught, or the wine-strainer robbed—[1660]
7 ... there was Æserninus, a Samnite, at the games exhibited by the Flacci, a filthy fellow, worthy of such a life, and such a station. He is matched with Pacideianus, who was by far the very best gladiator since the world began—[1661]
8 I will kill him, and conquer, said he, if you ask that: But so I think it will be; I will smite him on the face before I plant my sword in the stomach and lungs of Furius. I hate the man! I fight in a rage! nor is there any farther delay than till some one fits a sword to my right hand; with such passion, and hatred of the man, am I transported with anger.[1662]
9 ... although he himself was a good Samnite in the games, and with the wooden swords, rough enough for any one....[1663]
10 But if no woman can be of so hardy a body, yet she may remain juicy, with soft arms, and the open hand may rest on her breast full of milk—[1664]
11 † Tisiphone devoured unguent from his lungs and fat; Erinnys most sacred of Eumenides bore off what was extracted.[1665]
12 ... pursues him, not expecting, leaps upon his head, and having encircled him, champs him all up and devours him—[1666]
13 ... remains fixed in the hinder part with vertebræ and joints, as with us the ankle and knee.
14 These carry before them huge fishes, for a present, thirty in number—
15 ... that you might not be able to shake out the door-peg with your hand, and even by yourself force out the bar with a wedge.[1667]
16 He is longer than a crane—
17 To scour the fields ... the whelps and young of wild beasts.
18 ... and when he is such a handsome man, and a youth worthy of you.
19 ... he places under this, he adds four props with nails.[1668]
20 ... who eats himself, devours me—
21 I was drunk and bloated.