不吉に

解説

付記

ある日、ローマの奴隷が占い師の前に現れた。 問いかけようとすると―― 占い師の掌がかゆそうに動いた。 デナリウス銀貨がその痒みを鎮めた。 奴隷は続けた。 「今夜（暗ければ）、試みることが成功するか否か」 再び銀貨を差し出すと、 占い師は「鳥占いの結果、成功はない」と告げた。 奴隷は計画を捨てた。 それは――夜にユノーの聖なる孔雀を盗むことだった。 ―― G.J.

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Original

In an unpromising manner, the auspices being unfavorable. Among the Romans it was customary before undertaking any important action or enterprise to obtain from the augurs, or state prophets, some hint of its probable outcome; and one of their favorite and most trustworthy modes of divination consisted in observing the flight of birds—the omens thence derived being called auspices. Newspaper reporters and certain miscreant lexicographers have decided that the word—always in the plural—shall mean "patronage" or "management"; as, "The festivities were under the auspices of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Body-Snatchers"; or, "The hilarities were auspicated by the Knights of Hunger."

Additional notes

A Roman slave appeared one day Before the Augur. "Tell me, pray, If—" here the Augur, smiling, made A checking gesture and displayed His open palm, which plainly itched, For visibly its surface twitched. A denarius (the Latin nickel) Successfully allayed the tickle, And then the slave proceeded: "Please Inform me whether Fate decrees Success or failure in what I To-night (if it be dark) shall try. Its nature? Never mind—I think Tis writ on this"—and with a wink Which darkened half the earth, he drew Another denarius to view, Its shining face attentive scanned, Then slipped it into the good man's hand, Who with great gravity said: "Wait While I retire to question Fate." That holy person then withdrew His sacred clay and, passing through The temple's rearward gate, cried "Shoo!" Waving his robe of office. Straight Each sacred peacock and its mate (Maintained for Juno's favor) fled With clamor from the trees o'erhead, Where they were perching for the night. The temple's roof received their flight, For thither they would always go, When danger threatened them below. Back to the slave the Augur went: My son, forecasting the event By flight of birds, I must confess The auspices deny success. That slave retired, a sadder man, Abandoning his secret plan— Which was (as well the crafty seer Had from the first divined) to clear The wall and fraudulently seize On Juno's poultry in the trees. G.J.