dined we crawled on three miles; and arrive under Anxur, which is built up on rocks that look white to a great distance.  Maecenas was to come here, as was the excellent Cocceius.  Both sent ambassadors on matters of great importance, having been accustomed to reconcile friends at variance.  Here, having got sore eyes, I was obliged to use the black ointment.  In the meantime came Maecenas, and Cocceius, and Fonteius Capito along with them, a man of perfect polish, and intimate with Mark Antony, no man more so.

Without regret we passed Fundi, where Aufidius Luscus was praetor, laughing at the honors of that crazy scribe, his praetexta, laticlave, and pan of incense.  At our next stage, being weary, we tarry in the city of the Mamurrae, Murena complimenting us with his house, and Capito with his kitchen.

The next day arises, by much the most agreeable to all:  for Plotius, and Varius, and Virgil met us at Sinuessa; souls more candid ones than which the world never produced, nor is there a person in the world more bound to them than myself.  Oh what embraces, and what transports were there!  While I am in my senses, nothing can I prefer to a pleasant friend.  The village, which is next adjoining to the bridge of Campania, accommodated us with lodging [at night]; and the public officers with such a quantity of fuel and salt as they are obliged to [by law].  From this place the mules deposited their pack-saddles at Capua betimes [in the morning].  Maecenas goes to play [at tennis]; but I and Virgil to our repose:  for to play at tennis is hurtful to weak eyes and feeble constitutions.

From this place the villa of Cocceius, situated above the Caudian inns, which abounds with plenty, receives us.  Now, my muse, I beg of you briefly to relate the engagement between the buffoon Sarmentus and Messius Cicirrus; and from what ancestry descended each began the contest.  The illustrious race of Messius-Oscan:  Sarmentus’s mistress is still alive.  Sprung from such families as these, they came to the combat.  First, Sarmentus:  “I pronounce thee to have the look of a mad horse.”  We laugh; and Messius himself [says], “I accept your challenge:”  and wags his head.  “O!” cries he, “if the horn were not cut off your forehead, what would you not do; since, maimed as you are, you bully at such a rate?” For a foul scar has disgraced the left part of Messius’s bristly forehead.  Cutting many jokes upon his Campanian disease, and upon his face, he desired him to exhibit Polyphemus’s dance:  that he had no occasion for a mask, or the tragic buskins.  Cicirrus [retorted] largely to these:  he asked, whether he had consecrated his chain to the household gods according to his vow; though he was a scribe, [he told him] his mistress’s property in him was not the less.  Lastly, he asked, how he ever came to run away; such a lank meager fellow, for whom a pound of corn [a-day] would be ample.  We were so diverted, that we continued that supper to an unusual length.