But if all human activities as they grow have had their source in imitation we may see here the exemplar of combat by means of missiles. It is from him that the Cretans learned to shoot and the Parthians to strike while in flight. These did but follow the example of the animal that is armed with arrows. X. (XCII.) _Of Beaver’s Overcoat._[67] ’Tis but the shadow of a name that is left. I cannot call it a coat of beaver, not though Beaver swear it is one. It cost six shillings. Now you know what it is like. If you don’t believe me, believe the price. XI. (XCI.) _On the Tomb of a Beauty._ Fate allows not beauty a long life: sudden is the end of all that is noble and pre-eminent. Here lies a lovely woman: hers was the beauty of Venus and hers the illwill of Heaven for a gift so rare. XII. (LXXXIV.) _Quintius’ Baths._ Stay awhile and bathe in these waters, traveller; then set forth again upon thy journey refreshed. [67] Claudian is, I think, punning on _castor_=a beaver, and Castor, the name of the owner of the coat. But _castor_ in l. 2 might be taken to refer either to the god or to the animal. * * * * * Page 186 lympharum dominum nimium miraberis, hospes, inter dura viae balnea qui posuit. XIII. (LXXIX.) _In podagrum qui carmina sua non stare dicebat._ Quae tibi cum pedibus ratio? quid carmina culpas? scandere qui nescis, versiculos laceras? “claudicat hic versus; haec” inquit “syllaba nutat”; atque nihil prorsus stare putat podager XIV. (LXXXII.) _Ad Maximum qui ei mel misit._ Dulcia dona mihi semper tu, Maxime, mittis, et, quidquid mittis, mella putare decet. XV. (LXXXIX.) _De paupere amante_ Paupertas me saeva domat dirusque Cupido: sed toleranda fames, non tolerandus amor. XVI. (XC.) _De eodem._ Esuriens pauper telis incendor amoris. inter utrumque malum deligo pauperiem. * * * * * Page 187 An thou become its guest, warm will be thy gratitude towards him that built this bath and set it by the side of this long dusty road. XIII. (LXXIX.) _To a gouty Critic._ Canst thou talk of feet? Dost blame my verses and criticize my lines, thou whose own feet are so weak? This couplet, you say, will scarcely stand: the scansion is shaky. Dear friend, a gouty man thinks nothing at all can stand. XIV. (LXXXII.) _To thank Maximus for a Gift of Honey._ Thou dost ever send me sweet gifts, Maximus; ’tis honey whatsoever thou sendest, methinks. XV. (LXXXIX.) _The Poor Lover._ Biting poverty and cruel Cupid are my foes. Hunger I can endure; love I cannot. XVI. (XC.) _The Same._ A hungry pauper am I, a victim fallen to love. Two ills; but poverty is the lesser. * * * * * Page 188 XVII. (L.) _De piis fratribus et de statuis eorum quae sunt apud Catinam._