JUVENAL, SATIRE XII
your pity once again, though the rest of the tale is all of one piece; a fearful lot, well known to many, and testified by many a votive tablet in our temples. Who knows not that it is Isis who feeds our painters?[1]
29A fate like to these befell our friend Catullus also. For when the hold was half full of water, and the waves rocked the hull from side to side, so that the white-haired skipper, with all his skill, could bring no succour to the labouring mast, he resolved to compound with the winds like the beaver, who gives up one part of his body that he may keep the rest; so conscious is he of the drug which he carries in his groin. "Overboard with everything!" shouted Catullus, ready to cast headlong his finest wares; purple garments, such as would have befitted a soft Maecenas, with other fabrics dyed on the sheep's back by the noble nature of the herbage—though doubtless the hidden virtues of the water and air of Baetica[2] also lent their aid. Nor did he hesitate to throw over pieces of silver plate-chargers wrought by Parthenius,[3] and bowls holding three gallons, fit to slake the thirst of the Centaur Pholus[4] or the wife of Fuscus. Besides these were baskets and dishes without number, and much chased work out of which the crafty purchaser of Olynthus[5] had slaked his thirst. What other man is there, in what part of the world, who would dare to value his life above his plate, or his safety above his property? Some men are so blinded and depraved that, instead of making fortunes for the sake of living, they live for their fortunes' sake.
- ↑ i.e. by employing them to paint votive tablets for her temples.
- ↑ Baetica was one of the provinces of Spain, called after the Baetis (Guadalquiver). The wool was famed for its golden colour.
- ↑ An engraver, otherwise unknown.
- ↑ The Centaurs were famed for their drinking capacity.
- ↑ Philip of Macedon.
