[25.] Of minced meat)—Ver. 7. “Intritus cibus,” is thought here to signify a peculiar dish, consisting of bread soaked in milk, cheese, garlic, and other herbs.
[26.] Narrow-mouthed jar)—Ver. 8. The “lagena,” or “lagona,” was a long-necked bottle or flagon, made of earth, and much used for keeping wine or fruit.
[27.] The foreign bird)—Ver. 11. Alluding probably to the migratory habits of the stork, or the fact of her being especially a native of Egypt.
[28.] Human bones)—Ver. 3. This plainly refers to the custom which prevailed among the ancients, of burying golden ornaments, and even money, with the dead; which at length was practised to such an excess, that at Rome the custom was forbidden by law. It was probably practised to a great extent by the people of Etruria; if we may judge from the discoveries of golden ornaments frequently made in their tombs.
[29.] Gods the Manes)—Ver. 4. Perhaps by “Deos Manes” are meant the good and bad Genii of the deceased.
[30.] The ass, with legs)—Ver. 7. This line is somewhat modified in the translation.
[31.] When the powerful)—Ver. 1. This is similar to the line of Horace, “Quicquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.”
[BOOK II.]
[ THE PROLOGUE.]
The plan of Æsop is confined to instruction by examples; nor by Fables is anything else[II.1] aimed at than that the errors of mortals may be corrected, and persevering industry[II.2] exert itself. Whatever the playful invention, therefore, of the narrator, so long as it pleases the ear, and answers its purpose, it is recommended by its merits, not by the Author’s name.