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Conjugal Precepts
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Footnotes:
[154] This tune is again alluded to by Plutarch in “Quaestion. Convival.”, p. 704, F. See also Clemens Alexandrinus, “Paedagog.” ii. p. 164, [Greek: A tais de hippois mignumenais oion hymenaios epauleitai nomos aulodias hippothoron touton keklekasin oi Mousikoi.]
[155] Peitho means Persuasion, and is represented as one of the Graces by Hermes anax. See Pausanias, ix. 35.
[156] Compare the Proverb [Greek: Eikelos omphakizetai], and Tibullus, iii. 5, 19: “Quid fraudare juvat vitem crescentibus uvis?”
[157] Cf. Shakspere, “Romeo and Juliet,” A. ii. Sc. vi. 9-15.
[158] Herodotus, i. 8.
[159] An allusion to the well-known Fable of AEsop, No. 82 in Halm’s edition.
[160] This comparison of the mirror is beautifully used by Keble in his “Christian Year:”
“Without a hope on earth to find
A mirror in an answering mind.”
— Wednesday before Easter.
[161] Does this throw light on Esther, i. 10-12?
[162] By their patronage.
[163] “Republic,” v. p. 462, C.
[164] By the power of sympathy. This is especially true of eyes. Wyttenbach compares the Epigram in the Anthology, i. 46. 9. [Greek: Kai gar dexion omma kakoumenon ommati laio Pollaki tous idious antididosi ponous.]
[165] Reading [Greek: kalon] with Hercher.
[166] The ancients hardly ever drank wine neat. Hence the allusion. The symposiarch, or arbiter bibendi, settled the proportions to be used.
[167] Compare the French proverb, “Le beau soulier blesse souvent le pied.”
[168] Thessaly was considered by the ancients famous for enchantments and spells. So Juvenal, vi. 610, speaks of “Thessala philtia,” and see Horace, “Odes,” i. 27. 21, 22; “Epodes,” v. 45.
[169] Wyttenbach well compares the lines of Menander:–
[Greek: enest alethes philtron eugnomon tropos, touto katakratein andros eiothen gune.]
[170] An allusion to Homer, “Iliad,” xiv. 214-217.
[171] Called by the Romans “pronuba Juno.” See Verg. “AEneid,” iv. 166; Ovid, “Heroides,” vi. 43.
[172] See Pausanias, vi. 25. The statue was made of ivory and gold.
[173] Compare Terence, “Hecyra,” 201. “Uno animo omnes socrus oderunt nurus.” As to stepmotherly feelings, the “injusta noverca” has passed into a proverb with all nations. See for example Hesiod, “Works and Days,” 823, [Greek: allote metruie pelei hemere, allote meter].
[174] Wyttenbach compares Seneca’s “Fidelem si putaveris facies.” “Ep.” iii. p. 6.
[175] Euripides, “Medea,” 190-198.
[176] Homer, “Iliad,” xiv. 205, 209.
[177] See Mulier Parturiens, Phaedrus’ “Fables,” i. 18.
[178] Euripides, “Andromache,” 930.
[179] Proverb. Cf. Horace, “Oleum adde camino,” ii. “Sat.” iii. 321.
[180] See AEsop’s Fables, No. 121. Halme. [Greek: Drapetes] is the title. All readers of Plautus and Terence know what a bugbear to slaves the threat of being sent to the mill was. They would have to turn it instead of horses, or other cattle.
[181] That is, Yoking oxen for the plough.
[182] Procreation of children was among the ancients frequently called Ploughing and Sowing. Hence the allusions in this paragraph. So, too, Shakspere, “Measure for Measure,” Act i. Sc. iv. 41-44.
[183] The reference is to the rites of Cybele. See Lucretius, ii. 618.
[184] See Erasmus, “Adagia.” The French proverb is “La nuit tous les chats sont gris.”
[185] “Laws,” p. 729, C.
[186] From the words of Andromache to Hector, “Iliad,” vi. 429, 430.
[187] Theano was the wife of Pythagoras.
[188] See Livy, xxix. 14. Propertius, v. 11. 51, 52. Ovid, “Fasti,” iv. 305 sq.
[189] And mother of the Gracchi.
[190] Jeremy Taylor, in his beautiful sermon on “The Marriage Ring,” has borrowed not a few hints from this treatise of Plutarch, as usual investing with a new beauty whatever he borrows, from whatever source. He had the classics at his fingers’ end, and much of his unique charm he owes to them. But he read them as a philosopher, and not as a grammarian.