x.

He Meets Varus and Mistress.

Led me my Varus to his flame,

As I from Forum idling came.

Forthright some whorelet judged I it

Nor lacking looks nor wanting wit,

When hied we thither, mid us three 5

Fell various talk, as how might be

Bithynia now, and how it fared,

And if some coin I made or spared.

"There was no cause" (I soothly said)

"The Prætors or the Cohort made 10

Thence to return with oilier head;

The more when ruled by --

Prætor, as pile the Cohort rating."

Quoth they, "But certès as 'twas there

The custom rose, some men to bear 15

Litter thou boughtest?" I to her

To seem but richer, wealthier,

Cry, "Nay, with me 'twas not so ill

That, given the Province suffered, still

Eight stiff-backed loons I could not buy.' 20

(Withal none here nor there owned I

Who broken leg of Couch outworn

On nape of neck had ever borne!)

Then she, as pathic piece became,

"Prithee Catullus mine, those same 25

Lend me, Serapis-wards I'd hie."

"Easy, on no-wise, no," quoth I,

"Whate'er was mine, I lately said

Is some mistake, my camarade

One Cinna - Gaius - bought the lot, 30

But his or mine, it matters what?

I use it freely as though bought,

Yet thou, pert troubler, most absurd,

None suffer'st speak an idle word."