Chapter XII

Marrucinian Asinius, hardly civil
Left-hand practices o'er the merry wine-cup.
Watch occasion, anon remove the napkin.
Call this drollery? Trust me, friend, it is not.
'Tis most beastly, a trick among a thousand. 5

Not believe me? believe a friendly brother,
Laughing Pollio; he declares a talent
Poor indemnification, he the parlous
Child of voluble humour and facetious.

So face hendecasyllables, a thousand, 10
Or most speedily send me back the napkin;
Gift not prized at a sorry valuation,
But for company; 'twas a friend's memento.

Cloth of Saetabis, exquisite, from utmost
Iber, sent as a gift to me Fabullus 15
And Veranius. Ought not I to love them
As Veranius even, as Fabullus?