haec ut iratus effudi ,

illa solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat ,

nec magis incepto vultum sermone movetur

quam lentae salices lassove papavera collo .


nec minus ego tam foeda obiurgatione finita paenitentiam agere sermonis mei coepi secretoque rubore perfundi , quod oblitus verecundiae meae cum ea parte corporis verba contulerim , quam ne ad cognitionem quidem admittere severioris notae homines solerent .

mox perfricata diutius fronte " quid autem ego " inquam " mali feci , si dolorem meum naturali convicio exoneravi ? aut quid est quod in corpore humano ventri male dicere solemus aut gulae capitique etiam , cum saepius dolet ? quid ?

As I poured out these words in anger , " She turned away and kept her eyes fixed on the ground , her face was not more moved by these opening words than pliant willows or poppies with their drooping necks . " After I had finished this disgraceful reproach , I began to feel regret at what I had said , and a secret blush came all over me , because I had forgotten my modesty and actually argued with that part of my body which more dignified men are accustomed not even to acknowledge . Then after scratching my forehead for some time , I said : " But what harm have I done in relieving my indignation with some abuse ? And then , what about the fact that we regularly curse parts of our human anatomy , like our belly , or throat , and even our head , when at times it aches ?

I vented my anger in words such as these .


His eyes were fixed , and with averted look
He stood , less moved by any word of mine
Than weeping willows bending o’er a brook
Or drooping poppies as at noon they pine .

When I had made an end of this invective , so out of keeping with good taste , I began to do penance for my soliloquy and blushed furtively because I had so far forgotten my modesty as to invoke in words that part of my body which men of dignity do not even recognize . Then , rubbing my forehead for a long time , " Why have I committed an indiscretion in relieving my resentment by natural abuse , " I mused , " what does it amount to ? Are we not accustomed to swear at every member of the human body , the belly , throat , or even the head when it aches , as it often does ?