Florus. For this timely meal, we render Thee timely thanks, Lord Christ. Grant that we may for eternity render immortal thanks. Amen.
Praec. Now go and play, and have your talk, and walk about wherever you please, whilst the light permits.
VIII
GARRIENTES—Students’ Chatter
Nugo, Graculus, Turdus, Bambalio
In this dialogue Vives puts forth nineteen little narratives suited to the age of childhood and as it were the progymnasmata of eloquence. The names also of the interlocutors are neatly fabled.
Nugo is so called from nugae, as if a small retailer of trifles (nugivendulus).
Graculus and Turdus are feigned names from the loquacity of those birds. Compare the Proverbs, Graculus graculo assidet (one jackdaw resembles another),[31] surdior turdo (deafer than a thrush).
Bambalio is a man of worthlessness and of stammering speech as Cicero interprets it. Philip. 3. Compare the Proverb Bambylius homo.
I. Story of the Trunk
Nugo. Let us sit on this trunk, and you, Graculus, on that stone facing us, so that without anything to hinder us we may observe all who pass by. We shall keep ourselves warm near this wall, which is excellently exposed to the sun. What a fine trunk is this and how enjoyable it is!
Turd. For us to sit on it!
Nugo. It must have been a very high and thick tree from which it was cut.