Page:Juvenal and Persius by G. G. Ramsay.djvu/419



takes advantage of the birthday of his friend and fellow-pupil Plotius Macrinus to discourse on the folly of the prayers usually offered to the Gods (1–7). Men pray openly for worthy objects; they pray secretly for money, for inheritances, for the death of all who stand in their way, besieging Jupiter with petitions at which any ordinary citizen would stand aghast (8–30). Old women offer the most silly prayers on behalf of babes (31–40). One man prays for health and strength, while raining his constitution by rich living (41–43); another for riches, while wasting his substance in costly sacrifices (44–51). Thirsting ourselves for gold, we believe the gods must love it also: we overlay their images with gold and use gold vessels in their service in place of the delf of Numa (52–60). O fools and grovellers! Why measure the Gods by our own fleshly lusts, and by our own joy in gratifying them? Nay, rather let us approach them with clean hands and a pure heart, and the homeliest offerings will win their favour (61–75).

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