[36]
But if you wish me to deal more courteously with you, I will argue the matter
thus with you. I will put away that harsh and almost boorish old man; and
out of these kinsmen of yours here present I will take some one, and before
all I will select your youngest brother, who is one of the best-bred men of
his class, who is exceedingly fond of you, and who, on account of some
childish timidity, I suppose and some groundless fears of what may happen by
night, has always, when he was but a little boy, slept with you his eldest
sister. Suppose, then, that he speaks to you in this way. “What
are you making this disturbance about, my sister? why are you so mad? “
‘Why thus with outcry loud do you exalt
Such trifles into things of consequence?’
” You saw a young man become your neighbour; his fair complexion, his height and his countenance and eyes made an impression on you, you wished to see him oftener; you were sometimes seen in the same gardens with him; being a woman of high rank you are unable with all your riches to detain him, the son of a thrifty and parsimonious father: he kicks, he rejects you, he does not think your presents worth so much as you require of him. Try some one else. You have gardens on the Tiber, and you carefully made them in that particular spot to which all the youth of the city comes to bathe. From that spot you may every day pick out people to suit you. Why do you annoy this one man who scorns you?”
Such trifles into things of consequence?’
” You saw a young man become your neighbour; his fair complexion, his height and his countenance and eyes made an impression on you, you wished to see him oftener; you were sometimes seen in the same gardens with him; being a woman of high rank you are unable with all your riches to detain him, the son of a thrifty and parsimonious father: he kicks, he rejects you, he does not think your presents worth so much as you require of him. Try some one else. You have gardens on the Tiber, and you carefully made them in that particular spot to which all the youth of the city comes to bathe. From that spot you may every day pick out people to suit you. Why do you annoy this one man who scorns you?”