I cannot pass unnoticed his counsel to masters:
"Ponite crudeles iras, et flagra, magistri,
Fœda ministeria, atque minis absistite acerbis.
Ne mihi ne, quæso, puerum quis verbera cogat
Dura pati; neque enim lacrymas, aut dulcis alumni
Ferre queunt Musæ gemitus, ægræque recedunt,
Illiusque cadunt animi," &c.
Vida exemplifies the consequences of the furious character and raging conduct of a master, in the harsh treatment of his defenceless flock (turba invalida), in the instance of a lovely boy, who, forgetful of fear,
"Post habuit ludo jussos ediscere versus."
The terror excited by the savage pedagogue throws the poor little fellow into a fatal illness: