Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

THE FABLES OF AVIANUSAnother wished to present " the god in the templewhere he worshipped and in the hallowed precinctsto fulfil a vow that was owing. " Now," said thestatue, " you will make a puzzling forecast aboutyour wares, when two far different prospects set aprice upon your work,^ and you will be in doubtwhether you prefer to consign me to the dead or tothe gods, whether you wish me to adorn a tomb orto be a deity. To your arbitrament is submitted thereverence of a great religious act ; in your hand alsoyou hold my death-Marrant." ^This is applicable to those who have it in theirpower to do a good or a bad turn according as theywish.^^XXIVThe Hunter and the LionA huntsman of renown and a lion were onceengaged in a contest protracted by long dispute.As they desired to put an end once for all to theirquarrel, they saw on the instant, it so happened, alofty tombstone. Thereon a cunning hand hadrepresented a lion bowing its neck in submission andprostrate in a man's embrace. " Can you reallyassert that the evidence of that work of art makesyou proud? Why, it shows the death of the beast."The lion, turning downcast eyes to the unreal figures,growled and in fierceness of heart broke into speech :" ut ferret depends on mercari ciipiit supplied from mercaricupiens.* viunera seems more suitably translated as " result of youremployment " than as " gift."•=i.e. to make of me a sepulchral ornament.•* I.e. the salesman had the option of benefiting or injuringthe statue.719