SELECT PASSAGES FROM THE FIRST DECADE.

WITH NOTES

BY

THE REV. J. H. MERRIOTT, B.A.

ASSISTANT MASTER IN THE MODERN SCHOOL, WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

SEELEY, JACKSON, & HALLIDAY, FLEET STREET,

PREFACE,

THE text used in the following selections is that of Bekker. In the notes, the chief difficulties in words, constructions, and antiquities, have been noticed and illustrated. In many cases the explanations are necessarily brief, and may require supplementing on the part of the master. It is hoped at the same time that boys may be induced to work out independently the lines of thought suggested.

Reference has been made to the notes of Raschig and Twiss, the grammars of Key and Madvig, and the histories of Arnold and Mommsen.

LIVY.

1. The trial of Horatius for his sister's murder. He is acquitted on the ground of his service to his country.

PRIUSQUAM inde digrederentur, roganti Mettio ex foedere icto quid imperaret, imperat Tullus uti iuventutem in armis habeat usurum se eorem opera, si bellum cum Veientibus foret. ita exercitus inde domos abducti. princeps Horatius ibat, trigemina spolia prae se gerens; cui soror virgo, quae desponsa uni ex Curiatiis fuerat, obvia ante portam Capenam fuit; cognitoque super humeros fratris paludamento sponsi, quod ipsa confecerat, solvit crines, et flebiliter nomine sponsum mortuum appellat. movet feroci1 juveni animum comploratio sororis in victoria sua tantoque gaudio publico." stricto itaque gladio, simul verbis increpans, transfigit puellam. "abi hinc cum immaturo amore ad sponsum" inquit, "oblita fratrum mortuorum vivique, oblita patriae, sic eat quaecunque Romana lugebit hostem." atrox visum id facinus patribus plebique: sed recens meritum facto obstabat. tamen raptus in jus ad regem. rex ne ipse tam tristis ingratique ad vulgus judicii aut secundum judicium supplicii auctor esset, concilio populi advocato "duumviros"3 inquit "qui Horatio perduellionem judicent, secundum legem facio." lex horrendi carminis erat. "duumviri