'This Latin is a terrible language with its conciseness,' observed I, not wishing to contradict more directly the good antiquary; and I stepped back a few paces, that I might have a better view of the statue.
'One moment, colleague!' said Monsieur Peyrade, seizing my arm; 'you have not yet seen all. There is another inscription. Get upon the pedestal, and look at the right arm.'
So saying, he assisted me in climbing up. I put my arm without much ceremony around the neck of the Venus, with whom I began to be on familiar terms. I gazed at her a moment face to face, and found her on a close survey to be still more wicked-looking, and still more beautiful. I then noticed some small characters, apparently of an ancient date, engraven upon the arm. With some difficulty, and by the aid of a magnifying-glass, I spelled as follows; Monsieur Peyrade repeating after me each word as I pronounced it, with strong emphasis and gesticulation:
VENERI TVRBVL * * * *
EVTYCHES MYRO
IMPERIO FECIT
After the word TVRBVL of the first line, there appeared to be some letters effaced; but TVRBVL was perfectly legible.
'And what does that mean?' asked my host, chuckling, and smiling maliciously; for he rightly thought that I would not be able to make out this TVRBVL.
'There is one word here that I cannot yet explain,' said I; 'all the rest is easy enough. Eutyches Myron has made this offering to Venus, by her command.'
'Very well. But TVRBVL; what do you make of that? What does TVRBVL mean?'
'Why, TVRBVL puzzles me a good deal; I am trying to recollect some of the appellations of Venus to aid me. Let me see; what do you say to TVRBVLENTA? Venus who troubles, who disturbs? You see I am constantly impressed with her wicked expression. Tvrbvlenta; this is not a bad epithet for Venus;' added I, with an air of deference, for I was not myself very well satisfied with this explanation.