With Firmian demesne not falsely is Mentula deemed rich, who has everything in it of such excellence, game preserves of every kind, fish, meadows, arable land and ferals. In vain: the yield is o'ercome by the expense. Wherefore I admit the wealth, whilst everything is wanting. We may praise the demesne, but its owner is a needy man.
CXV.
Mentula habes instar triginta iugera prati,
Quadraginta arvi: cetera sunt maria.
Cur non divitiis Croesum superare potissit
Vno qui in saltu totmoda possideat,
5
Prata, arva, ingentes silvas saltusque paludesque
Vsque ad Hyperboreos et mare ad Oceanum?
Omnia magna haec sunt, tamen ipse's maximus ultro,