[1881] Pernicis. Cf. Hor., Epod. ii., 42, "Pernicis uxor Appuli."
[1882] Excidere Nonius explains by dissentire.
[1883] Cf. Plaut., Curc., I., i., 47, "Ego cum illâ facere nolo mutuum."
[1884] Cibicidas, i. e., "slaves," a humorous word, "consumers of food."
[1885] Cf. ad xxviii., 44.
[1886] Sospitat, a religious phrase, properly "to preserve, protect." Plaut., Amph., III., viii., 501, Hild., "Dii plus plusque istuc sospitent." So Ennius, "regnum sospitent superstitentque." Impertit. Cf. Cic., Att., ii., 12, "Terentia impertit tibi multam salutem."
BOOK XXVIII.
ARGUMENT.
Van Heusde considers that this book contained some severe strictures on the part of a morose old man, or stern uncle, on the over-indulgence of a fond and foolish father. Yet a considerable portion of the Satire seems to contain a defense of the poet himself against the assaults of some invidious maligners, and in order to do this, he enters, generally, into a discussion of the habits and manners of young men of the age. Their licentiousness, he is prepared to admit, has been in great measure produced by the want of restraint in early youth. This petulance develops itself in an uncontrolled license of speech, regardless of all annoyance to the feelings of others—in avarice—in haughtiness, the peculiar vice of men of rank—ambition, luxury, and love of sensual pleasure. These charges he illustrates by a passage quoted from Cæcilius. Even those who do show some taste for better things, and apply themselves to the cultivation of philosophy, do not, like Polemon, adopt the severe maxims of a self-denying system, but attach themselves to the school of Epicurus or Aristippus. To such as these, all good advice, all endeavors to reclaim them to the rugged paths of a stricter morality, are utterly hopeless and unavailing.