Page:Satires, Epistles, Art of Poetry of Horace - Coningsby (1874).djvu/63

 Like Diomede and Glaucus, straight the worse Gives in, and presents are exchanged of course.
 * Well, in the days when Brutus held command,

With prætor's rank, o'er Asia's wealthy land, Persius and King engage, a goodly pair, Like Bithus matched with Bacchius to a hair. Keen as sharp steel, before the court they go, Bach in himself as good as a whole show.
 * Persius begins: amid the general laugh

He praises Brutus, praises Brutus' staff, Brutus, the healthful sun of Asia's sphere, His staff, the minor stars that bless the year, All, save poor King; a dog-star he, the sign To farmers inauspicious and malign: So roaring on he went, like wintry flood, Where axes seldom come to thin the wood.
 * Then, as he thundered, King, Præneste-bred,

Hurled vineyard slang in handfuls at his head, A tough grape-gatherer, whom the passer-by Could ne'er put down, with all his cuckoo cry.
 * Sluiced with Italian vinegar, the Greek

At length vociferates, "Brutus, let me speak! You are our great king-killer: why delay To kill this King? I vow 'tis in your way."