+ The draughts of consulary
date were but crude unto these, and Opimian wine but
in the must unto them.#
In sundry graves and sepulchres we meet with rings,
coins, and chalices. Ancient frugality was so severe,
that they allowed no gold to attend the corpse, but only
that they allowed no gold to attend the corpse, but only
that which served to fasten their teeth. Whether the
Opaline stone in this were burnt upon the finger of the
dead, or cast into the fire by some affectionate friend,
it will consist with either custom. But other inciner-
able substances were found so fresh, that they could
feel no singe from fire. These, upon view, were judged
* "Cum lacrymis posuere."
+ About five hundred years.
# "Vinum Opimianum annorum centum."--
Petron.to be wood; but, sinking in water, and tried by the
fire, we found them to be bone or ivory. In their
hardness and yellow colour they most resembled box,
which, in old expressions, found the epithet of eternal,
and perhaps in such conservatories might have passed
uncorrupted.
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