Book vi

. 1. 676, and the Note, lie means, that free-born women are worthy to become wives; but 'libertinæ,' or 'freed-women,' are only fit to become 'professæ,' or 'courtesans,' when they may sin with impunity, so far as the laws are concerned.]

[Footnote 1113: Broad girth.--Ver. 622. This seems to be the kind of belt mentioned in line 274.]

[Footnote 1114: Stalk of wetted flax.--Ver. 629. According to the common reading, this will mean that the letter is to be written on blank paper, with a stalk of wetted flax; which writing will afterwards appear, when a black substance is thrown upon it. Heinsius insists that the passage is corrupt, and suggests that 'alumine nitri' is the correct reading; in which case it would mean that alum water is to be used instead of ink. Vessius tells us that alum water, mixed with the juice of the plant 'tithymalum,' was used for the purposes of secret correspondence.]

[Footnote 1115: Good Goddess.--Ver. 637. The debauched Clodius was detected as being present at these rites, in a female dress.]

[Footnote 1116: The false key, too, tells.--Ver. 643. He plays upon the double meaning of the words, 'adultéra clavis,' which properly signifies 'a false key.']

[Footnote 1117: Even though.--Ver. 646. 'Even though you should have to go to the expense of providing the rich wines of Spain for the purpose.']

[Footnote 1118: Even she.--Ver. 663. He alludes to the accommodating lady mentioned in line 641.]

[Footnote 1119: Has she filled.--Ver. 666. See his address to Cypassis, in the Amores,