129. #nervos#: 'wires.' The figure of the puppet (_sigillarium_, +agalma
neurospaston+) as a favorite one with the Stoics, to judge by
M. Antoninus, who uses it very often, e.g., +sigillaria
neurospastoumena+, 7, 3; +neurospastia+, 6, 28. Comp. Hor., Sat., 2, 7,
80: _tu mihi qui imperitas alii servis miser atque | duceris ut #nervis#
alienis mobile lignum_. --#agitet#: 'There is nothing from without to
set your wires going.' Your masters are within. --#iecore#: See 1, 25.
130. #domini#: An immemorial figure. So Sophocles of Love. _Di meliora,
inquit, libenter vero istinc sicut a #domino# agresti ac furioso
profugi_, Cic., Cat. Mai., 14, 47. --#qui#: 'how?' --#exis# = _evadis_.
See 1, 46; 6, 60.
131. #atque# = _quam_. G., 311, R. 6. --#hic# = _de quo loquimur_. G.,
290, 3. --#metus erilis# = _metus eri_. G., 360, R. 1; 363, R.; A., 50,
1, _a_. 'If I be a master, where is _my fear_?' Mal., 1, 6. The
assumption of Hendiadys, 'fear of the master's whip,' is unnecessary,
and makes the passage less forcible.
132-191. The remainder of the Satire is taken up with descriptions of
the ruling passions: Avarice (132-142), Luxury (143-160), Love
(161-175), Ambition (176-179), Superstition (180-189). The language is
lively and mimetic, and forcibly recalls the connection between comedy
and satire.
132-160. Avarice finds you snoring, makes you get up, thrusts a bill of
lading in your hand, cuts out work for you-- not very honest work
either-- and chides you till she gets you to the ship. As you are about
to embark, Luxury takes you aside, remonstrates with you, reminds you of
the annoyances of a sea voyage. And all for what? The difference between
five and eleven per cent. Why so greedy? 'Life let us cherish.' Enjoy it
while you may. And so you are in a strait betwixt two. First you submit
to one, then to the other master; and when you have once rebelled, you
must not say, 'I have broken my bonds.' So a struggling hound may wrench
away the staple, but drags the chain after it.