Where did you whet your knife to-night, he cries, And shred the leeks that in your stomach rise? Whose windy beans have stuft your guts, and where Have your black thumbs been dipt in vinegar? With what companion-cobler have you fed, On old ox-cheeks, or he-goat's tougher head? What, are you dumb? Quick, with your answer, quick, Before my foot salutes you with a kick. Say, in what nasty cellar, under ground, Or what church-porch, your rogueship may be found?-- Answer, or answer not, 'tis all the same, He lays me on, and makes me bear the blame. Before the bar for beating him you come; This is a poor man's liberty in Rome. You beg his pardon; happy to retreat With some remaining teeth, to chew your meat. Nor is this all; for when, retired, you think To sleep securely, when the candles wink, When every door with iron chains is barred, And roaring taverns are no longer heard; The ruffian robbers, by no justice awed, And unpaid cut-throat soldiers, are abroad; Those venal souls, who, hardened in each ill, To save complaints and prosecution, kill. Chased from their woods and bogs, the padders come } To this vast city, as their native home, } To live at ease, and safely skulk in Rome. } The forge in fetters only is employed; Our iron mines exhausted and destroyed In shackles; for these villains scarce allow Goads for the teams, and plough-shares for the plough. Oh, happy ages of our ancestors, Beneath the kings and tribunitial powers! One jail did all their criminals restrain, Which now the walls of Rome can scarce contain. More I could say, more causes I could show For my departure, but the sun is low; The waggoner grows weary of my stay, And whips his horses forwards on their way. Farewell! and when, like me, o'erwhelmed with care, } You to your own Aquinam[106] shall repair, } To take a mouthful of sweet country air, } Be mindful of your friend; and send me word, What joys your fountains and cool shades afford. Then, to assist your satires, I will come, And add new venom when you write of Rome. FOOTNOTES: [78] Cumæ, a small city in Campania, near Puteoli, or Puzzolo, as it is called. The habitation of the Cumæan Sybil. [79] Baiæ, another little town in Campania, near the sea: a pleasant place. [80] Prochyta, a small barren island belonging to the kingdom of Naples. [81] The poets in Juvenal's time used to rehearse their poetry in August. [82] Numa, the second king of Rome, who made their laws, and instituted their religion. [83] Ægeria, a nymph, or goddess, with whom Numa feigned to converse by night; and to be instructed by her, in modelling his superstitions.