Noctes Atticae

Diverse views of eminent philosophers as to the nature and character of pleasure; and the words in which the philosopher Hierocles attacked the principles of Epicurus.

As to pleasure the philosophers of old expressed varying opinions. Epicurus makes pleasure the highest good, but defines it [*](Fr. 28, Usener.) as sarko\s eu)staqe\s kata/sthma, or

a well-balanced condition of body.

may I go mad rather than feel pleasure.

Pleasure an end, a harlot's creed; there is no Providence, not even a harlot's creed.

With what quantity the first syllable of the frequentative verb from ago should be pronounced.

FROM ago and egi are derived the verbs actito and actitavi, which the grammarians call

frequentatives.

That the leaves of the olive tree turn over at the summer and the winter solstice, and that the lyre at that same season produces sounds from other strings than those that are struck.

IT is commonly both written and believed that at the winter and the summer solstice the leaves of olive trees turn over, and that the side which had been underneath and hidden becomes uppermost and is exposed to sight and to the sun. And 1 myself was led to test this statement more than once, and found it to be almost exactly true.

But about the lyre there is an assertion that is less often made and is even more remarkable. And this both other learned men and also Suetonius Tranquillus, in the first book of his History of the Games, [*](The title as given in full by Suidas is On the Festivals and Games of the Romans, two books. See Fr. 181, Reiff.)

That it is inevitable that one who has much should need much, with a brief and graceful aphorism of the philosopher Favorinus on that subject.

THAT is certainly true which wise men have said as the result of observation and experience, that he who has much is in need of much, and that great want arises from great abundance and not from great lack; for many things are wanted to maintain the many things that you have. Whoever then, having much, desires to provide and take precaution that nothing may fail or be lacking, needs to lose, not gain, and must have less in order to want less.

I recall that Favorinus once, amid loud and general applause, rounded off this thought, putting it into the fewest possible words: [*](Fr. 81, Marres. We may compare Hor. Epist. i. 6. 40 ff.)

It is not possible for one who wants fifteen thousand cloaks not to want more things; [*](ad ea quae habet tuenda; see § 1.) for if I want more than I possess, by taking away from what I have I shall be contented with what remains.

What method should be followed in translating Greek expressions; and on those verses of Homer which Virgil is thought to have translated either well and happily or unsuccessfully.

WHENEVER striking expressions from the Greek poets are to be translated and imitated, they say that

For example, when very recently the Bucolics of Theocritus and Virgil were being read together at table, we perceived that Virgil had omitted something that in the Greek is, to be sure, wonderfully pleasing, but neither could nor ought to have been translated. But what he has substituted for that omission is almost more charming and graceful. Theocritus writes: [*](Idyls v. 88 f; the translation is that of Edmonds, L.C.L.)

1. But when her goatherd boy goes by you should see my Cleärist
2. Fling apples, and her pretty lips call pouting to be kissed.

1. My Phyllis me with pelted apples plies,
2. Then tripping to the woods the wanton hies,
3. And wishes to be seen before she flies.

1. O Tityrus, well-belovéd, feed my goats,
2. And lead them to the fount, good Tityrus;
3. But 'ware yon buck-goat yellow, lest he butt.

well-beloved

1. Till I return—not long—feed thou my goats;
2. Then, Tityrus, give them drink, but as you go,
3. Avoid the buck-goat's horn—the fellow butts'

And since I am speaking on the subject of translation, I recall hearing from pupils of Valerius Probus, a learned man and well trained in reading and estimating the ancient writings, that he used to say that Virgil had never translated Homer less successfully than in these delightful lines which Homer wrote about Nausicaa: [*](Odyss. vi. 102 ff., translation by Dryden.)

1. As when o'er Erymanth Diana roves,
2. Or wide Taÿgetus' resounding groves,
3. A silver train the huntress queen surrounds,
4. Her rattling quiver from her shoulder sounds;
5. Fierce in the sport, along the mountain's brow
6. They bay the boar or chase the bounding roe;
7. High o'er the lawn, with more majestic pace,
8. Above the nymphs she treads with stately grace;
9. Distinguished excellence the goddess proves,
10. Exults Latona as the virgin moves:
11. With equal grace Nausicaa trod the plain,
12. And shone transcendent o'er the beauteous train.

1. As on Eurotas' banks or Cynthus' heights
2. Diana guides her dancing bands, whose train
3. A thousand Oreads follow, right and left;
4. A quiver bears she on her shoulder fair,
5. And as she treads, the goddesses o'ertops;
6. Joys thrill Latona's silent breast.

pressing on the work of her rising kingdom,

Leto rejoiced in heart,

1. And shone transcendent o'er the beauteous train. [*](Literally, "And is readily recognized, though all are fair.")

The low and odious criticism with which Annaeus Cornutus befouled the lines of Virgil in which the poet with chaste reserve spoke of the intercourse of Venus and Vulcan.

THE poet Annianus, [*](A name of Celtic origin, according to Schulze, Eigenn. 426.) and with him many other devotees of the same Muse, extolled with high and constant praise the verses of Virgil in which, while depicting and describing the conjugal union of Vulcan and Venus, an act that nature's law bids us conceal, he veiled it with a modest paraphrase. For thus he wrote: [*](Aen. viii. 404 ff.)

1. So speaking, the desired embrace he gave,
2. And sinking on the bosom of his spouse,
3. Calm slumber then he wooed in every limb.

maiden girdle

the right of the couch

love's labours

But Annaeus Cornutus, a man in many other respects, to be sure, lacking neither in learning nor taste, nevertheless, in the second book of the work which he compiled On Figurative Language, defamed the high praise of all that modesty by an utterly silly and odious criticism. For after expressing approval of that kind of figurative language, and observing that the lines were composed with due circumspection, he added:

Virgil nevertheless was somewhat indiscreet in using the word membra.