Ye, who belong to Piso's train,
Who dance attendance still, in vain;
Verannius, and Fabullus dear!
Whose scanty baggage, pack'd with care,
Makes, in good truth, a flaming show;
Tell me, what you're about to do?
Chuse you ought more of cold to bear,
And want, with that extortioner?
Say, in each book, your reck'nings ended,
What profits are put down expended?
When I accompanied my Prætor,
My books for ever prov'd him debtor.
Notorious Memmius, I have not
Thy vile, oppressive deeds forgot!
And you, my lads, if right I see,
Suffer'd by like rapacity;
Hard case! for ye had all to do
With such another skin-flint jew.
Is this to have a noble friend?
Then may the curse of heav'n attend
Such Roman nobles, who disgrace
With foulest deeds the Roman race!