Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

THE FABLES OF AVIANUSXVIThe Oak and the ReedAn oak was torn up by its roots, a victim of the madSouth Wind's whirhng force, and fell down from themountain heiirhts. A river-channel, flowing belowin high spate, took it and bore it off in the headlongcurrent. But after the tall trunk had been thrustfrom bank to bank, its mighty bulk came to restamong slender reeds. Then it marvelled that a reed,fastening its stalks in but a tiny tuft, should standfirm in the flo^ving water; it marvelled that, for allits massive trunk, even it could not yet" standunmoved, while the reed with its slender rind enduredthe menaces of nature.^ Presently the creakingreed, answering with meek whisper, declared thatits weakness increased its safety. "You," it said," scorn the ravening winds and cruel tempests, andfall beneath the onset of their full strength. I keepin dalliance the gradually rising Auster and, withan eye to the future, let myself be swayed by Notus,however light his breath. Against your sti'ength therain-storm hurls itself sheer; but, baffled by mymotion, the breeze sinks into nothing."This teaches us that it is in vain we resist themighty and that it is by slow degrees that wesurmount the fury of their menaces." necdum. The years in which the truncus had grown tarnvastus had not vet made it strons enough to resist the storm.Cf. J. E. B. MaVor, C. R. I. (1887) p. 191.''miratur (8) is first followed by quod stel to express indirectstatement, then by two accus. and iufin. clauses (9-10).zz 2707