Not long afterwards a barbarian, confiding in his strength of hand, challenges one of the Romans. Each man fears to accept the challenge, and the leaders of highest rank mutter {among themselves}. At length, this effeminate wretch in appearance, but Mars in prowess, approached the General, who was seated on his tribunal, and, with a lisping voice, said “May I?”[10] But Magnus, getting angry, as {well he might}, the matter being so serious, ordered him to be turned out. Upon this, an aged man among the Chieftain’s friends, {remarked}: “I think it would be better for this person to be exposed to the hazards of Fortune, since in him our loss would be but small, than a valiant man, who, if conquered through {some} mischance, might entail upon you a charge of rashness.” Magnus acquiesced, and gave the Soldier permission to go out to meet {the champion}, whose head, to the surprise of the army, he whipped off sooner than you could say it, and returned victorious. Thereupon said Pompeius: “With great pleasure I present you with the soldier’s crown, because you have vindicated the honor of the Roman name; nevertheless,” said he, “may my eyes drip out” (imitating the unseemly act with which the Soldier had accompanied his oath), “if you did not carry off my property from among the baggage.” [Footnote NF.9: _About their business_)--Ver. 13. The words suggested in Orellius, “Indicii falsi auctores propelli jubet,” are used here to fill up the lacuna.] [Footnote NF.10: _May I?_)--Ver. 29. “Licet?” meaning: “Do you give me permission to go against the enemy?” The story about the spittle savours of the middle ages.] FABLE X. JUNO, VENUS, AND THE HEN. _On the Lustfulness of Women._ When Juno[11] was praising her own chastity, Venus did not lose the opportunity of a joke, and, to show that there was no female equal to herself {in that virtue}, is said to have asked this question of the Hen: “Tell me, will you, with how much food could you be satisfied?” The hen replied: “Whatever you give me will be enough; but still you must let me scratch a bit with my feet.” “To keep you from scratching,” said {the Goddess}, “is a measure of wheat enough?” “Certainly; indeed it is too much; but still do allow me to scratch.” “In fine,” {said Venus}, “what do you require, on condition of not scratching at all?” Then at last the hen confessed the weak point in her nature: “Though a {whole} barn were open for me, still scratch I must.” Juno is said to have laughed at the joke of Venus, for by the Hen she meant the Female Sex. [Footnote NF.11: _When Juno_)--Ver. 1. This story is both silly and in very bad taste.] FABLE XI. THE FATHER OF A FAMILY AND ÆSOP. _How a bad-tempered Son may be tamed._ A Father of a family had a passionate Son, who, as soon as he had got out of his fathers sight, inflicted many a blow upon the servants, and gave loose to the impetuous temper of youth. Æsop consequently told this short story to the old man.