Conditaque in liquidâ Corna autumnalia fæce:
Intubaque et Radix, et Lactis massa Coacti:
Ovaque, non acri leviter versata Favillâ.
* * * * * * * *
Hìc Nux, hìc mista est rugosis Carica Palmis,
Prunaque, et in patulis redolentia Mala canistris,
Et de purpureis collectæ vitibus Uvæ.
Candidus in medio Favus est: super omnia vultus
Accessêre boni.” * * * *
We are not surprised, however, that, notwithstanding all this variety of sufficient foods, ignorant peasants, imitating the vicious examples of their rich neighbours, thought it due to “hospitality” to sacrifice life; and they were on the point of slaughtering the only non-human being belonging to them—a Goose, the “guardian of the cottage”—when the heavenly visitants intervene, and forbid the unnecessary barbarism:—