[101] At all events, Mercury replies to a man who inquires whether he is worthless— / "By no means worthless, on the contrary, / In every part most venerable: never / Low, nor of no account, as though a slave. / But as to raiment brilliant to behold, / And with the club he bears most energetic. / But no one willingly becomes the buyer / Of one who soon the master will become / Of him and all his house. And every one / Who sees thee, fears thee, for your eye is fire / Like that of any bull prepared for war / ’Gainst Afric lions." [24] Then, again, he speaks in conclusion of his disposition— / "I now do blame you for your stubborn silence, / As if you were not subject to a master, / But sought to govern rather than be governed." [25] [26]