The Satires of Juvenal, Persius, Sulpicia, and Lucilius: Literally translated into English prose, with notes, chronological tables, arguments, &c.Persius
General
The Satires of Juvenal, Persius, Sulpicia, and Lucilius: Literally translated into English prose, with notes, chronological tables, arguments, &c.
Persius
Juvenal -- Translations into English; Verse satire, Latin -- Translations into English
"Yes: even this way of life is profitable to many. But I never made
it worth my while: we do occasionally get greasy cloaks, that serve
to save our toga, of coarse texture and indifferent dye, the clumsy
workmanship of some French weaver's lay; or a small piece of silver of
inferior metal.[512] The Fates control the destinies of men: nay, there
is fate even in those very parts which the lap of the toga conceals
from view. For if the stars are unpropitious, your manly powers,
remaining unknown, will profit you nothing, even though the liquorish
Virro has seen you stripped, and seductive billets-doux, closely
following each other, are forever assailing you: for such a fellow as
he even entices others to sin. Yet, what monster can be worse, than
one miserly as well as effeminate?"[513] "I gave you so much, then so
much, and then soon after you had more!" He reckons up and still acts
the wanton. "Let us settle our accounts! Send for the slaves with my
account-book! Reckon up five thousand sesterces in all! Then count up
your services!" Are then my duties so light, and so little against the
grain? Far less wretched will be the poor slave that digs the great
man's land! But you, forsooth, thought yourself delicate, and young,
and beautiful! fit to be a cup-bearer in heaven!
Will you ever bestow favors on a humble dependent, or be generous to
one that pays you court, when you grudge even the money you spend on
your unnatural[514] gratifications? See the fellow! to whom you are
to send a present of a green parasol and large amber[515] bowls, as
often as his birthday comes round, or rainy spring begins; or pillowed
on his cushioned sofa, he fingers presents set apart for the female
Kalends![516]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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