John Randolph of Virginia, and Mr. Dana of Connecticut, while fellow-members of Congress, belonged to different political parties. On one occasion Mr. Dana paid some handsome compliments to Mr. Randolph. When the latter spoke in reply, he quoted from Virgil (Æn. ii.):—
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
A lady having accidentally thrown down a Cremona fiddle with her mantua, Dean Swift instantly remarked,—
“Mantua væ miseræ nimium vicina Cremonæ.”
Ah, Mantua, too near the wretched Cremona. (Virg. Ecl. ix. 28.)
To an old gentleman who had lost his spectacles one rainy evening, the Dean said, “If this rain continues all night, you will certainly recover them in the morning betimes:
“Nocte pluit tota—redeunt spectacula mane.” (Virgil.)
Quid facies facies veneris si veneris ante?