From forth thy house dismiss.]
Θητα αοικον ποιεισθαι is rendered by Grævius comparare sibi servum domo carentem: and Schrevelius explains the passage to mean that “you should seek out a servant who, having no house of his own to look after, could direct his whole attention to your concerns.” So when the harvest is over, and the corn laid up in the granaries, he is to look out for a labourer! Was there ever a direction so unmeaning as this? I translate the words, (meo periculo) “servum operarium è domo dimitte.”
[116] Keep, too, a sharp-tooth’d dog.] Virgil has a more poetical passage on the same subject, Georg. iii. 404:
Nor last forget thy faithful dogs: but feed
With fattening whey the mastiff’s generous breed
And Spartan race, who for the fold’s relief
Will prosecute with cries the nightly thief,
Repulse the prowling wolf, and hold at bay
The mountain robbers rushing to the prey.
Dryden.