ARGUMENT.
The remains of this book are so mutilated and so diversified, that, as Gerlach says, "one might be disposed to imagine that the very essence of the subject was its unconnected variety." Both he and Merula, however, consider that it contained a long episode on the state of morality in the good old days; when the war with Hannibal rendered a luxurious indulgence incompatible even with personal safety. (Cf. Juv., vi., 291. Sulpic., 51, 52.) An old man is introduced inveighing bitterly against the sloth, the luxury, and immoderate extravagance of the young men of his day; of their unscrupulousness as to the means by which the money was acquired, which was squandered on their licentious pleasures. He then describes one of these scenes of dissipation; and shows how young men, once entangled in the snares of their worthless paramours not only become lost to every principle of virtue and sense of shame, but are so completely enslaved and enthralled by their passions, that they are able to refuse nothing, however unworthy of them, which is exacted by their tyrannical mistresses. This corruption extends itself, also, not only to the courts of law, where justice has become a matter of barter, both with advocates and judges, but its fatal effects may also be traced in the debasement and deterioration of literature, of poetry, and of the public taste.
1 When he has done this, the culprit will be handed over along with others to Lupus: he will not appear. He will deprive the man of both primary matter and elements: when he has prohibited him from the use of water and fire, he has still two elements: he would have preferred ... still he will deprive him—[1915]
2 ... and rest assured in your mind, that it will be a very weighty reason indeed with me, which would draw me away from any thing that would serve you.
3 ... who communicates to me what the difference is between the race of mankind and brutes, and what it is connects them together.
4 Apollo is the deity who will not suffer you to bring disgrace and infamy on the ancient Delians.[1916]
5 For he swears a great oath that he has written, and will not write afterward.... and return into fellowship.
6 ... when you have learnt, you may pass your life without care.
7 ... at the close of the year, days of mourning, sorrow, and ill-luck.[1917]