Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

IGRATTIUSto whom sea «ind earth and the sheer gateway ofPhito yielded as he essayed all things where glory'spath lay open, even he (Hercules) won from the chasethe chiefest ornament and honour of his fame.Consider, then, what benefit, derived from the artsI treat, can trick the strong beasts when matchedagainst them.Some hunters have found in plumes plucked fromthe filthy vulture a handy means of working and noslight help. Only, at intervals along the line theremust be added the down of the snow-white swan,and that is implement enough : the white feathersglitter in clear sunlight, formidable appearances forgame,^' whereas the dread stench from the blackvulture disturbs the forest-creatures ; and the contrastof colour works the better effect. But, while theplumage hanging from your device has its brightgleam or heavy scent, let it be at the same time softto handle and not very closely entwined, so that thecord when pulled in will not entangle you with itsfeathers in your hurry and by its faultiness convictyou in the very using. This device of terror has moreuse against stags ; but when the pliant feathers aresometimes dyed with African vermilion and theflaxen cord gleams from its projecting forks,'' it israre for any beast to escape the counterfeit terrors.Yes, and there is also some use in " running "" The linea pinnis distincta intended to drive game intosnares was called a "formido" {of. metus, 85); Sen. Dial. iv.11.5; PA^erfm 46-48 ; Virg. 6'. III. 372; Lucan IV. 437-38.* The ancon {ayi