of water were always close
to the gates of towns, for the purpose of watering the beasts of
burden, and of having a supply at hand in case the enemy should
set fire to the city gates.]

[Footnote 70: _The open air_)--Ver. 586. Donatus remarks that it
was usual for the Greeks to sit and drink in the sun; and that
Syrus being suddenly asked this question shows his presence of
mind by giving this circumstantial answer, that he may the better
impose upon Demea. The couches used on such occasions may be
presumed to have required stout legs, and to be made of hard wood,
such as oak, to prevent them from splitting. Two instances of
couches being used for carousing in the open air will be found in
the last Scenes of the Asinaria and Stichus of Plautus.]

[Footnote 71: _You skeleton_)--Ver. 588. "Silicernium." This was
said to be the name of a funeral entertainment or dish of meats
offered up to the "umbrae" or "manes," in silence. The word is also
said to have been applied to an old man from his stooping
postures, "silices cernit," "he looks at the stones."]

[Footnote 72: _Head and ears in love_)--Ver. 590. "Totus,"
literally, "quite" or "altogether."]

[Footnote 73: _Sipping my cups_)--Ver. 592. As to the "cyathi" and
cups of the ancients, see the last Scene of the Stichus of
Plautus, which is a perfect specimen of a carousal among the lower
classes in ancient times. See also the last Scene of the Asinaria.
The slaves generally appear to have taken part in the
entertainments with their young masters.]

[Footnote 74: _Are suspicious_)--Ver. 606. These lines are
supposed to be founded on some verses of Menander which are still
extant.]

[Footnote 75: _Obliges him to marry her_)--Ver. 655. It appears to
have been a law given by Solon to the Athenians that the next male
relative of suitable age should marry a female orphan himself, or
find her a suitable portion. Madame Dacier suggests that the
custom was derived from the Phoenicians, who had received it from
the Jews, and quotes the Book of Numbers, xxxvi. 8. This law forms
the basis of the plot of the Phormio.]

[Footnote 76: _To Miletus, pray?_)--Ver. 658. A colony of Athens,
on the coast of Asia Minor.]

[Footnote 77: _Who betrothed her?_)--Ver. 673. Donatus observes
that these questions, which enumerate all the proofs requisite for
a marriage, are an indirect and very delicate reproof