Hi. I think that according to the Custom of the Antients s is to be cut off, so that there be an Anapaestus in the second Place.
Eu. I should agree to it, but that the Ablative Case ends in is, and is long by Nature. Therefore though the Consonant should be taken away, yet nevertheless a long Vowel remains.
Hi. You say right.
Cr. If any unlearned Person or Stranger should come in, he would certainly think we were bringing up again among ourselves the Countrymens Play of holding up our Fingers (dimicatione digitorum, i.e. the Play of Love).
Le. As far as I see, we scan it upon our Fingers to no Purpose. Do you help us out if you can.
Eu. To see how small a Matter sometimes puzzles Men, though they be good Scholars! The Preposition ex belongs to the End of the foregoing Verse.
Qui bene vertendo, et eas describendo male, ex Graecis bonis Latinas fecit non bonas.
Thus there is no Scruple.
Le. It is so, by the Muses. Since we have begun to scan upon our Fingers, I desire that somebody would put this Verse out of Andria into its Feet.
Sine invidia laudem invenias, et amicos pares.