29. Wine is used along with
incense; and of this, in like manner, we ask an explanation why it is
poured upon it when burning. For if a reason is not4903
| 4903 So
LB. and Oehler, reading ni-si. (ms. si), and other edd. inserting non,
the negative being absolutely necessary to the sense, and supplied in
the next clause. |
shown for
doing this, and its cause is not
4904
| 4904
Lit., “nor will it have its cause.” |
set forth, this action of yours must not
now be attributed to a ridiculous error, but, to speak more plainly, to
madness, foolishness,
blindness. For, as has been already said
pretty frequently, everything which is done should have its cause
manifest, and not involved in any
dark obscurity. If, therefore,
you have
confidence in what is done, disclose, point out why that
liquor is offered; that is,
why wine is poured on the
altars. For do the bodies of the deities feel parching
thirst,
and is it necessary that their dryness be tempered by some
moisture? Are they accustomed, as men are, to combine eating and
drinking? In like manner, also, after the solid
4905
| 4905
Although this is clearly the meaning, Stewechius explained
solidos by referring to the ancient belief that such offerings
should be wholly consumed, and no fragment left. |
food of cakes and pottages, and victims
slain
in honour of them, do they drench themselves, and make
themselves merry with very
frequent cups of
wine, that their
food may be more easily softened, and thoroughly digested? Give,
I beg, to the
immortal gods to drink; bring forth goblets,
bowls,
4906
| 4906
Briæ, drinking-cups, but of their peculiar shape or purpose
we know nothing. |
ladles, and
cups; and as they stuff themselves with bulls, and luxurious
feasts,
and
rich food,—lest some piece of
flesh hastily
4907
gulped down should stick in passing
through the
stomach,
run up, hasten, give pure
wine to
Jupiter, the
most excellent, the
supreme, lest he be
choked. He desires to
break wind, and is unable; and unless that hindrance passes
away and is dissolved, there is very great
danger that his breathing
will be stopped and
4908
| 4908
Lit., “being strangled, may be.” |
interrupted, and heaven be left
desolate without its rulers.
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