The Roman Poets of the Republic, 3rd edition

by W. Y. Sellar

Praesertim in re populi placida, atque interfectis hostibus,

Non decet tumultuari.

[³⁷] Cp. the remark of the parasite in the Persa, 75, 76:—

Set sumne ego stultus, qui rem curo publicam,

Ubi sint magistratus, quos curare oporteat?

and that of the parasite in the Captivi, 'that only those who were unable to procure invitations to luncheon should be expected to attend public meetings and elections'; and such jokes as 'Plebiscitum non est scitius.'

[³⁸] The Comedy of Terence, which represents that of Menander, is completely non-political.

[³⁹] Cf. Epidicus, 30, etc., and Captivi, 262.

[⁴⁰] The advocati in the Poenulus, who are evidently clients, show a certain spirit of independence. Cf. Act iii. 6. 13:—

Et tu vale.