XIV. THE FURNACE, OR THE POT.[1]
If ye will give payment, I will sing, O potters. Come hither, Minerva, and uplift thy hand in defence of the furnace. But may the cups blacken well,[2] and all the vessels be well baked, and fetch a good price, many being sold in the marketplace, and many in the streets, and may they gain much, †but we are friendly to them.†[3] But if, turning to shamelessness, ye tell falsehoods,[4] I will then call together the destroyers of the pot, Syntrips,[5] and Smaragus, and Asbetus, and Sabactes, and Omodamus, who bring many ills upon this art. Destroy the furnace[6] and the dwelling, and let the whole furnace be thrown into confusion, while the pots shriek loudly. As the horse's cheek snorts, so may the furnace snort, making all the vessels ashes within it. Hither also, daughter of the Sun, Circe of many spells, bring cruel drugs, and injure them and their works. And hither also let Chiron lead his many centaurs, both those who escaped the hands of Hercules, and who perished. Let them be evilly beaten for these works, and let the furnace fall, and themselves wailing behold the evil deeds. But I will rejoice, beholding their unhappy art. But whoever shall look too closely, may all his face be scorched with fire, that all may learn to do what is right.
XV. THE OLIVE BRANCH.
We approach the house of a man who possesses great power, who has great influence, and is ever very haughty in his wealth.[7] Ye gates, open of yourselves, for much wealth enters, and with wealth also flourishing joy, and agreeable peace. But may all the vessels, as many as there are, be
- ↑ The poet is supposed to be called in by potters, to give them a song.
- ↑ But see Ernesti.
- ↑ So Ernesti. I can make nothing either of this line, or of the conjectures upon it.
- ↑ i. e. try to cheat me of my reward.
- ↑ These names might characteristically be rendered, "Smasher, Crasher," &c.
- ↑ I read πυραίθουσαν. See Hermann.
- ↑ Probably a spurious line, as Ernesti thinks.
