The Sportsman by Xenophon
page 78 of 95 (82%)
page 78 of 95 (82%)
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[39] Al. "at the passages from woodland lakes into oak-coppices."
[40] {udata}, "waters," lakes, pools, rivers, etc. [41] Or, "and proceed to tackle him." It is a form of sport which costs the lives of many hounds and endangers those of the huntsmen themselves. Supposing that the animal has given in from exhaustion at some moment in the chase, and they are forced to come to close quarters;[42] whether he has taken to the water, or stands at bay against some craggy bank, or does not choose to come out from some thicket (since neither net nor anything else hinders him from bearing down like a tornado on whoever approaches); still, even so, advance they must, come what come may, to the attack. And now for a display of that hardihood which first induced them to indulge a passion not fit for carpet knights[43]--in other words, they must ply their boar-spears and assume that poise of body[44] already described, since if one must meet misfortune, let it not be for want of observing the best rules.[45] [42] Reading {prosienai} [{ta probolia}]. [The last two words are probably a gloss, and should be omitted, since {prosienai} (from {prosiemi}) {ta probolia} = "ply," or "apply their boar-spears," is hardly Greek.] See Schneid. "Add. et Corr." and L. Dind. ad loc. [43] {ekponein}, "to exercise this passion to the full." [44] Lit. "assume their boar-spears and that forward attitude of body." |
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