59. C. PLINIUS ACILIO SUO S.-Rem atrocem nec tantum epistula dignam Largius Macedo, vir praetorius, a servis suis passus est, superbus alioqui dominus et saevus et qui servisse patrem suum parum, immo nimium meminisset. Lavabatur in 5 villa Formiana: repente eum servi circumsistunt: alius fauces invadit, alius os verberat, alius pectus et ventrem atque etiam, foedum dictu, oculos contundit; et cum exanimem putarent, abiciunt in fervens pavimentum, ut experirentur an viveret. Ille, sive quia non sentiebat, sive quia se non sentire simulabat, immo10 bilis et extentus fidem peractae mortis implevit. Tum demum quasi aestu solutus effertur, excipiunt servi fideliores, concubinae cum ululatu et clamore concurrunt. Ita et vocibus excitatus et recreatus loci frigore sublatis oculis agitatoque corpore vivere se, et iam tutum erat, confitetur. Diffugiunt servi; quorum 15 magna pars conprehensa est, ceteri requiruntur. Ipse paucis

diebus aegre focilatus non sine ultionis solacio decessit, ita vivus vindicatus ut occisi solent. Vides quot periculis, quot contumeliis, quot ludibriis simus obnoxii; nec est quod quisquam possit esse securus, quia sit remissus et mitis: non enim iudicio 20 domini sed scelere perimuntur. Verum haec hactenus. Quid praeterea novi? quid? nihil; alioqui subiungerem: nam et charta adhuc superest et dies feriatus patitur plura contexi.

PLINY III. 14.

60. C. PLINIUS SUETONIO TRANQUILLO SUO S.-Scribis te perterritum somnio vereri ne quid adversi in actione patiaris, rogas ut dilationem petam et pauculos dies, certe proximum, excusem. Difficile est, sed experiar: καὶ γάρ τ' ὄναρ ἐκ Διός ἐστιν. 5 Refert tamen eventura soleas an contraria somniare. Mihi re

putanti somnium meum istud quod times tu egregiam actionem portendere videtur. Susceperam causam Iuni Pastoris, cum mihi quiescenti visa est socrus mea advoluta genibus ne agerem obsecrare. Egi tamen λoyoάuevos illud

εἷς οἰωνὸς ἄριστος ἀμύνασθαι περὶ πάτρης. Nam mihi patria et si quid carius fides videbatur. Prospere cessit, atque adeo illa actio mihi aures hominum, illa ianuam famae patefecit. Proinde dispice an tu quoque sub hoc exemplo somnium istud in bonum vertas, aut si tutius putas illud 15 cautissimi cuiusque praeceptum 'quod dubitas ne feceris,' id ipsum rescribe. Ego aliquam stropham inveniam agamque causam tuam, ut ipsam agere tu, cum voles, possis. Vale. PLINY I. 18.

(59.) A horrid barbarity has lately been committed upon a person of high rank by his own servants. They surrounded him as he was bathing, beat him about the face and head, trampled upon his breast, and when they imagined they had thus completed their intentions, they threw him upon the burn- 5 ing pavement of the hot bath, to try if there was any remaining life left in him. He lay there stretched out, and motionless, either as really senseless, or counterfeiting to be so; upon which they concluded him actually dead. In this condition they brought him out, pretending that he had fainted away by the Io heat of the bath. Some of his more trusty servants received him, and the alarm spread through the family. The noise of their cries, together with the fresh air, brought him a little to himself, and he gave signs (as he now safely might) that he was not quite dead. The murderers immediately made their escape; 15 but the greater part of them are taken, and they are in pursuit of the rest. By proper application he was, with great difficulty, kept alive for a few days, and then expired; having however the satisfaction before he died of seeing just vengeance inflicted on his assassins. So much for this piece of news: and now 20 you will ask, "Is this all?" In truth it is; otherwise, you should have it; for my paper and my time too (as it is holiday with me) will allow me to add more.

(60.) I gather from your letter that you are extremely terrified with a dream, apprehending that it threatens some ill success to you in the case which you have undertaken; and therefore desire that I would get it adjourned for a few days, or at least to the next. I will use all my interest for that 5 purpose, for "dreams descend from Jove."

In the meanwhile it is very material for you to recollect whether your dreams generally represent things as they afterwards fall out, or quite the reverse. The truth is, as an eminent critic has observed with great good sense, there seems to Io be as much temerity in never giving credit to dreams, as there is superstition in always doing so. The true medium between these two extremes, is, to treat them as we would a known liar; we are sure he most usually relates falsehoods, however, nothing hinders but he may sometimes speak truth. Consider then 15 whether your dream may not portend success. Or after all, perhaps, you will think it more safe to pursue this cautious maxim: "Never do a thing of which you are in doubt:" if so, write me word.

INDEX.

Grammatical notes are referred to by sections. The other references are
to the pages of the extracts.

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