BOOK V.
ARGUMENT.
The person to whom this book is addressed, is supposed by Scaliger to have been a professor of the art of rhetoric. Lucilius complains that this friend, though he knew he had been ill, had never come to see him; and at the same time he ridicules the affected and pedantic style of language then in vogue in the schools of the rhetoricians. He then glances slightly at the fickleness and inconstancy of his friend's attachment, contrasting the present state of his feelings with his stanch friendship in former days; at the same time assuring him that his own heart remains unchanged. He admits, however, that there is some ground for excuse for this disappointment of his hopes, as even the good Tiresias of yore was occasionally found tripping. (Fr. 10.) The causes which lead to breach of friendship are then discussed, the chief of which is avarice, that lust of gold, that nothing can satiate; while, meantime the people are lacking the common necessaries of life. With avarice, ambition springs up; as sure a divider of faithful hearts as avarice itself. Yet Lælius, that true-hearted and single-minded man, could hold the highest offices of state without losing his integrity of heart, or sacrificing the simplicity of his rugged virtues. This treachery, however, is gradual in its growth. (Fr. 3.) At first a large bribe alone has power to sever the bonds of friendship; yet soon they give way before the most paltry inducement. Yet such is the infatuation and gross folly of men, that they even aim at deceiving the gods themselves by an affectation of piety. With this depraved state of morals he contrasts the frugal simplicity of ancient days, describing by the way the plain and homely elements that composed their forefathers' rustic meal. There is supposed to be an allusion in this book to one Q. Metellus Caprarius; a man who proved the worthlessness of his character, both during his administration as prætor, and afterward when serving in the camp before Numantia. (Fr. 11, 23, 20, 21, 22, Gerl.) Horace had perhaps part of this Satire in view, when he wrote his first Satire of the first book; especially where he mentions avarice as one of the causes which make men discontented with their lot in life. Very similar sentiments to those expressed in this book may be found in Sallust also. (Bell. Cat., c. xii., init.)
1 Though you do not inquire how I find myself, I shall nevertheless let you know. Since you have remained in that class in which the greatest portion of mankind is now, that you wish that man to perish whom you would not come to see, though you should have done so. If you do not like this "would" and "should," because it is inartificial, Isocratean, and altogether turgid, and at the same time thoroughly childish, I will not waste my labor. If you....
2 For if what is really enough for man could have satisfied him, this had been enough. Now since this is not so, how can we believe that any riches whatever could satisfy desire?
3 ... just as when the dealer has produced his first fresh figs, and in the early season gives only a few for an exorbitant price.[1669]
4 For one and the same pain and distress is.... by all—
5 ... if his body remained as strong.... as the sentiments of the writer's heart continue true....
6 Say when force compels you to penetrate gradually through the seams of the crannies, in the darkness of night.[1670]
7 Since you alone, in my great sorrow and distress, and in my extremity of difficulty, proved yourself a haven of safety to me—[1671]
8 He was, I think, the only one who watched over me; and when he seemed to me to be doing that, he laid snares for me![1672]
9 ...
10 Still it is allowed that one of the ancients, an old man of the same years, Tiresias, fell.
11 Look not to the rostrum and feet of the prætor elect.[1673]
12 Lælius says, that though poor, he discharges important offices.[1674]
13 The onion-man, become blear-eyed by constantly eating acrid tear-bringing onions.[1675]
14 The Endive besides, stretching out with feet like horses—[1676]
15 The tear-producing onion also, with its lacryimose shells in due succession—[1677]
16 ... a pitcher and a long bowl with two handles—[1678]
17 Go on and prosper with your virtue, say I, and with these verses.
18 Too genial Ceres fails; nor do the people set bread.
19 ... bade the flat-nosed herd (of Nereus) frolic.[1679]
20 when he determined to lead out the guard from the camp.[1680]
21 he was the elder: we can not do all things—[1681]
22 ... the guard of the fleet, catapultas, darts, spears.[1682]
23 ... whether you may be able to get off, or the day must be further postponed.[1683]
24 ... meanwhile his breast is thick with bristles
25 ... and spreads legs beneath legs[1684]
26 ... porridge dressed with fat.[1685]
27 ... the basket with its treacherous heap.
28 ... dashed a wooden trencher on his head—[1686]