XIX.—Of the Vain Nemesiaci.

Is it not ignominy, that a prudent man should be seduced and worship such a one, or say that a log is Diana?  You trust a man who in the morning is drunk, costive, and ready to perish, who by art speaks falsely what is seen by him.  While he lives strictly, he feeds on his own bowels.  A detestable one defiles all the citizens; and he has attached to himself—a similar gathering being made—those with whom he feigns the history, that he may adorn a god.  He is ignorant how to prophesy for himself; for others he dares it.  He places it on his shoulder when he pleases, and again he places it down.  Whirling round, he is turned by himself with the tree of the two-forked one, as if you would think that he was inspired with the deity of the wood.  Ye do not worship the gods whom they themselves falsely announce; ye worship the priests themselves, fearing them vainly.  But if thou art strong in heart, flee at once from the shrines of death.

XIX.---NEMESIACIS VANIS.

Non ignominium est, virum seduci prudentem, Et colere talem, aut Dianam dicere lignum? 0216A Mane ebrio, crudo, perituro creditis viro; Ex arte qui ficte loquitur quid illi videtur: Severe dum agit, sibi viscera pascit. Incopriat cives unus detestabilis omnes. Adplicuitque sibi, simili collegio facto, Cum quibus historiam fingit, ut deum adornet. Ipse sibi nescit divinare, caeteris audet. Succollat, quando libet, eum, et quando deponit. Vertitur a se rotans cum ligno bifurci; Ac si putes illum afflatum numine ligni. Non deos vos colitis quos ipsi false prophetant; Ipsos sacerdotes colitis, in vano timentes. Sed si corde viges, fuge jam sacraria mortis.