Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

IIGRATTIUSthat makes a length to stand its work; that willserve many a day. The snare itself, at the centralmouth which it has when being made, you mustentangle all round with six pouches so that in thewhole cavity it may catch the savage quarry, howeverbig he is. But I should have the whole netextend forty paces in length and rise ten full meshesin height from the ground. Nets likely to cost moreoutlay are unremunerative."The Cinyphian marshes,^ doubt it not, \vi\\ yieldexcellent thread-material ; there is fine produce fromthe Aeolian valley ^ of the Sibyl, and there is theflax harvest on the sunny Tuscan meadow drinkingin the neighbouring moisture from the river, whereTiber that fertilises Latium glides through the shadysilences and meets with mighty mouth the gulfsof the sea. But on the other hand om- Falerianshave flax-crops unfit for conflict, and (those of)the Spanish Saetabes are tested by a differentuse.*^ The dancing crowds of sultry Canopus ^ arescarcely veiled by their transparent native linen whensacrificing in the ritual at Bubastis : its very whiteness,ruinous in a material useless for nets, revealsthe deceit afar off and frightens away the beasts.Yet the poor guardian of a well-watered estate atAlabanda/ can rear a growth of hemp, right fittingequipment for this task of ours. Burdensome isthe care needed, but you may entrap within suchtoils the bears of Thessaly. Only, first take painsthat no moisture, worst of plagues, steal thereon:* In North Africa between the two Syrtcs.*At Cumae on the Bay of Naples.** i.e. are unsuitable for nets.' In Egypt. In Caria, Asia Minor.55