BOOK XXX.
ARGUMENT.
Most of the commentators seem to be agreed that the subject of this book was "matrimonial life." Mercer considers that it contained an altercation between a married couple, in which the lady strenuously refuses to submit to the lawful authority of her husband. Van Heusde says that in it were depicted the miseries of married life generally; especially of those husbands who are so devoted to their wives, that they surrender the reins of government into the hands of those, for whom the law compels them to provide subsistence, not only at the expense of their own personal labor, but also at the risk of life itself: the only return which they receive as an equivalent from the hands of their wives, being opprobrious language, ill temper, haughty exaction, treachery, and unfaithfulness to the marriage-bed. In addition to this, Gerlach thinks that in this, his last book, Lucilius recapitulated the subjects of his previous Satires; and consequently many Fragments are assigned to this book, which might easily be inserted in others. Among other matters, the poet also defends himself against the malignant charges of envious critics, one, Gaius, being especially noticed. The story of the old lion, which Horace has copied [i., Ep. i., 74], may also lead us to suppose that the treachery of false friends formed part of the matter of the poem.
N.B.—Gerlach considers that the 80th was undoubtedly the last book. The passages quoted from subsequent books are the result of the carelessness of the Librarii. These passages, therefore, will all be found incorporated into the preceding books.
1 † ... Lamia and Pytho ... with sharp teeth ... those gluttonous, abandoned, obscene hags....[1952]
2 ... a sick and exhausted lion....[1953]
3 Then the lion said with subdued voice, "Why will you not come hither yourself?"[1954]
4 What does it mean? how does it happen that the footsteps, all without exception, lead inward and toward you?
5 For, be assured that disease is far enough removed from men in wine, when one has regaled himself pretty sumptuously.[1955]
6 † ... in face and features ... sport, and in our conversation ... this is the virgin's prize, and let us pay this honor....[1956]
7 ... Should you first fasten me to the yoke, and force me against my will to submit to the plow, and break up the clods with the coulter.[1957]
8 Immediately, as soon as the gale has blown a little more violently, it has raised and lifted up the waves.
9 You may see all things glittering within, in the glowing recess.[1958]
10 must I first break you in, fierce and haughty as you are, with a Thessalian bit, like an unbroken filly, and tame you down by war?[1959]
11 or when I am going somewhere, and have invented some pretext as to the goldsmiths, to my mother, a relation or female friend's.[1960]
12 Much fiercer than she of whom we spoke before: the milder she is, the more savagely she bites.
13. † who not expecting ... entering on the impulse of an evil omen.[1961]
14 ... hoping that time will bring forth the same—
... will give chewed food from her mouth—[1962]
15 So when fame, making thy fight illustrious, having been borne to our ears, shall have reported.[1963]
16 Take care there are in the house a webster, waiting maids, men-servants, a girdle-maker, a weaver—[1964]
17 You clean me out, then turn me out; ruin and insult me—[1965]
18 If Maximus left sixteen hundred ... of silver.[1966]
19 beardless hermaphrodites, bearded pathic-adulterers[1967]
20 What is it, if you possess a hundred or two hundred thousand
21 † ... what we seek in this matter ... deceived ... guarded against[1968]
22 ... here like a mouse-trap laid, ... and like a scorpion with tail erect....
23 ... and what great sorrows and afflictions you have now endured.[1969]
24 † it was better you should be born, ... like a beast or ass.
25 ... on the ground, in the dung, stalls, manure, and swine-dung.[1970]
26 ... as much as my fancy delights to draw from the Muses' fountain.
27 ... and that our poems alone out of many are now praised.
28 Now, Gaius, since rebuking, you attack us in turn....[1971]
29 ... and would perceive that his ... lay neglected ... left behind....
30 ... since you do not choose to recognize me at this time, trifler!
31 ... still I will try to write briefly and compendiously back.[1972]
32 ... and that by your harsh acts and cruel words....
33 ... no one's mind ought to be so confident—
34 ... if I may do this, and repay by verses....
35 ... just as you who ... those things which we consider to be an example of life—
36 ... when having well drunk, he has retired from the midst....
37 Calvus Palatina, a man of renown, and good in war.[1973]
38 and in a fierce and stubborn war by far the noblest enemy.
39 ... as to your praising your own ... blaming, you profit not a whit.[1974]
40 ... but tell me this, if it is not disagreeable, what is it?[1975]
41 all the labor bestowed on the wool is wasted; neglect, and the moths destroy all.[1976]
42 † ... one is flat-footed, with rotten feet....[1977]
43 ... no one gives to them: no one lets them in: nor do they think that life....
44 by whose means the Trogine cup was renowned through the camp.[1978]
45 ... thanks are returned to both: to them, and to themselves together.[1979]
46 ... little mattresses besides for each, with two coverlets.[1980]
47 What do you care, where I am befouled, and wallow?
48 Why do you watch where I go, what I do? What affair is that of yours?
49 What he could give, what expend, what afford....
50 So the mind is insnared by nooses, shackles, fetters.
51 You are delighted when you spread that report about me, in your conversations abroad.
52 and by evil-speaking you publish in many conversations
53 While you accuse me of this, do you not before revolve in your mind?
54 ... let us kick them all out, master and all.
55 ... when once I saw you eager for a contest with Cælius.[1981]
56 These monuments of your skill and excellence are erected.
57 ... and remain, meanwhile, content with these verses.
58 They bring me forth to you, and compel me to show you these
59 ... at what our friends value us, when they can spare us.
60 ... both by your virtue and your illustrious writings to contribute....
61 ... What? Do the Muses intrust their strong-holds to a mortal?
62 Listen to this also which I tell you; for it relates to the matter.
63 The quæstor is at hand that you may serve....[1982]
64 ... receive laws by which the people is outlawed....
65 ... or to sacrifice with her fellows at some much frequented temple.[1983]
66 Whom you know to be acquainted with all your disgrace and infamy.
67 Then he sees this himself.... in sullied garments.
68 ... What you squander on the stews, prowling through the town.[1984]
69 ... that she is sworn to one, to whom she is given and consecrated.
70 ... serves him as a slave, allures his lips, fascinates with love.[1985]
71 † ... himself oppresses ... a head nourished with sense.[1986]
72 ... fingers, and the bodkin in her beautifully-clustering hair.[1987]
73 ... and beccaficos, and thrushes, flutter round ... carefully tended for the cooks.[1988]
74 ... but why do I give vent to these words with trembling mind.
75 Think not that I could curse thee!
76 Sorry and marred with mange, and full of scab....[1989]
77 Which wearies out the people's eyes and ears and hearts.[1990]
78 † No one will thrust through that belly of yours ... and create pleasure ... use force and you will see—[1991]
79 This you will omit: in that employ me gladly....
80 All modesty is banished—licentiousness and usury restored.
81 That too is a soft mischief, wheedling and treacherous.
82 They appear, on the contrary, to have invited, or instigated these things.
83 ... all ... to you, handsome and rich—but I ... so be it![1992]
84 The husband traverses the wide sea, and commits himself to the waves.
85 † whose whole body you know has grown up ... with cloven hoofs.
86 to be able to write out ... the thievish hand of Musco.[1993]
87 Time itself will give sometimes what it can for keeping up....[1994]
88 and then fly, like a dog, at your face and eyes—[1995]
89 ... published it in conversation in many places....
90 He departed unexpectedly; in one hour quinsy carried him off.[1996]
91 An old bed, fitted with ropes, is prepared for us....[1997]
92 that no one, without your knowledge, could remove from your servants.
93 † And that they who despised you were so proud[1998]
94 and contract the pupil of their eyes at the glittering splendor.[1999]
95 ... you rush hence, and collect all stealthily.
96 ... and since modesty has retreated from your breast
97 ... nor suffer that beard of yours to grow.
98 ... he destroys and devours me....