Page:The Letters of Cicero Shuckburg III.pdf/328

 *

word "knead." And yet neither is obscene. The world is full of fools. Testes is quite a respectable word in a court of law: elsewhere not too much so. Again, "Lanuvinian bags" is a decent phrase; not so "bags" of Cliternum.

Again, can the same thing be at one time decent, at another indecent? Suppose a man to break wind—it is an outrage on decency. Presently he will be in a bath naked, and you will have no fault to find. Here's your Stoic decision—"The wise man will call a spade a spade."

What a long commentary on a single word of yours! I am pleased that you have no scruple in saying anything to me. For my own part I maintain and shall maintain Plato's modesty: and accordingly, in my letter to you, I have expressed in veiled language what the Stoics express in the broadest: for they say that breaking wind should be as free as a hiccough. All honour then to the Kalends of March! Love me and keep yourself well.

DCXXXII (A XIII, 20)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)



I have received a letter of consolation from Cæsar, dated 31st of May, at Hispalis. I did not understand the nature of the bill published for extending the boundaries of the city: I should much like to know about it. I am glad that Torquatus is satisfied with what I have done for him, and I will not cease adding to those services. To the speech for Ligarius it is not now either possible to add a clause about