language.

Utere lactucis, et mollibus utere malvis:
Nam faciem durum Phoebe, cacantis habes.--iii. 89.

[768] See c. iii. and note.

[769] Probably the emperor had not entirely worn off, or might even
affect the rustic dialect of his Sabine countrymen; for among the
peasantry the au was still pronounced o, as in plostrum for plaustrum, a
waggon; and in orum for aurum, gold, etc. The emperor's retort was very
happy, Flaurus being derived from a Greek word, which signifies
worthless, while the consular critic's proper name, Florus, was connected
with much more agreeable associations.

[770] Some of the German critics think that the passage bears the sense
of the gratuity having beer given by the lady, and that so parsimonious a
prince as Vespasian was not likely to have paid such a sum as is here
stated for a lady's proffered favours.

[771] The Flavian family had their own tomb. See DOMITIAN, c. v. The
prodigy, therefore, did not concern Vespasian. As to the tomb of the
Julian family, see AUGUSTUS, c. ci.

[772] Alluding to the apotheosis of the emperors.

[773] Cutiliae was a small lake, about three-quarters of a mile from
Reate, now called Lago di Contigliano. It was very deep, and being fed
from springs in the neighbouring hills, the water was exceedingly clear
and cold, so that it was frequented by invalids, who required