“I shall compress to-day the wicked tongue.”
The Latins employed the verb “compress” for irrumate, as if it were a form of fornication; and similarly “split open”, as if it were a form of pedication.
[77]. Plutarch: “It is reported that in the night before the passing of the Rubicon, Caesar had a frightful dream; he dreamt that he was indulging in abominable intercourse with his mother.” (Lives, Julius Cæsar, XXXII.) Hesychius’ interpretation refers to this:—to perform abominable acts.”
[78]. Suetonius: “A picture of Parrhasius, representing Atalanta in the act of complacently lending her mouth to Meleager was bequeathed to him with the alternative that he might have a million sesterces instead, if the subject offended him. He not only preferred the picture, but had it solemnly hung in his bedroom.” (Tiberius, ch. 44.)
[79]. Horace, Epode VIII., 17-20:
“The member of the uneducated is it less rigid? does it not long, like those of lettered men? To make it stand superbly from the groin, you need but to work it with your mouth.”
[80]. Martial, II., 62:
“A doubtful down did scarcely deck your cheek, when your tongue already licked men’s middle parts.” The same III., 81:
“Baeticus, you, a Gaul, what have you to do with the female pit? that tongue of yours should lick men’s middles.”
Ausonius, Epigr. CXX: