Page:Correspondence of Marcus Cornelius Fronto volume 2 Haines 1920.djvu/293

 that the meaning was as a rule rather tangled than unravelled by the grammarians. So he desired the Iphigenia of Q. Ennius to be brought forthwith; and in a chorus of that tragedy we read these lines:

He who can use not ease more labour has Than when his labour in his labour lies. For he who does what he has planned makes it No labour; heart and mind delight therein: In idle ease the heart knows not its wish. So we: at home we are not nor abroad; This way we go, then that; no sooner come, We wish to go elsewhere; we vacillate, And live but there or thereabout our life.

5. When this passage had been read, Fronto turning to the grammarian, who was now feeling uncomfortable, said:

"Do you hear, excellent master, that your friend Ennius has used praeter propter, and in a sentiment as dignified as the severest scolding by philosophers could be? We beg you, therefore, since we are enquiring about a word used by Ennius, to tell us what is held to be the meaning of this verse:

Incerte errat animus, praeter propter vitam vivitur"

And the grammarian, sweating profusely and blushing profusely, as most of us were laughing heartily at his dilemma, got up and, as he went out, said, "I will give you an answer some time when you are alone, as I do not wish the more ignorant listeners to hear and profit by what I say."

After this we all rose up, leaving the discussion of the word there.

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