The fresh verb tego, that has a first feeling of ‘conceal’ (Dated s.v. tego step one), seem to setting ‘clothe’ (Old s.v. tego step 3) and you may obviously include which resonance in its indicated juxtaposition having nudasse, regarding nudo, ‘build naked, divest’ (Old s.v. nudo 1). The latest poem and thus announces ‘dress’ – or rather ‘undress’ – since the an excellent polyvalent shape getting Sulpicia’s elegiac poetics. According to the amatory program of modern Latin elegy Sulpicia rights sexual, socially given up strip down more respected, socially conformist top like create match the face she ‘puts on’ for neighborhood, because the she states throughout the poem’s latest couplet (vultus componere famae | taedet, ‘I am sick of writing a nose and mouth mask to own rumour,’ step three.thirteen.9–10). By the stating from metaphor out of disrobing the woman purpose to put her amatory passages for the flow, Sulpicia integrates a couple of frequently in comparison
On one-hand, nudity ‘s the feature characteristic out of Amor, tutelary goddess off Latin erotic elegy and you can patron of one’s elegiac poetlover
193 Sartorial Appeal and Poetic Finesse in the Sulpician Corpus elegiac skirt requirements. Propertius, for example, rebukes their domme on her behalf demand for costly gowns and work out-up with this new observation that nude god doesn’t esteem artificially improved charm (nudus Amor formae non amat artificem, step one.dos.8). Furthermore Ovid contends you to, although he might lack the riches and high ancestry to help you attract their mistress, most other features – together with their blameless character, open trustworthiness, and you can blushing modesty – is to commend him so you can their (Have always been. step 1.step three.7–14): si me personally low veterum commendant magna parentum nomina, au moment ou nostri sanguinis auctor eques, nec meus innumeris repus aratris, temperat et sumptus parcus uterque parens: within Phoebus comitesque novem vitisque repertor hac faciunt ainsi que myself et celle-ci tibi donat Amor ainsi que nulli cessura fides, sine crimine mores, nudaque simplicitas purpureusque pudor. If the higher names of my old ancestors don’t strongly recommend me, in the event the writer of our lineage was an equestrian, neither are my personal property revived with a lot of ploughs, and every mother or father frugally husbands costs, nonetheless Apollo, the nine Muses, their companions, and you will Dionysus, discoverer of vine, simply take my region in addition to Like exactly who offers us to your, respect that can submit to none, a nature as Dating-Seite nur heterosexuelle Singles opposed to blemish, open honesty, and you can blushing modesty.
Compared with the newest nakedness of elegy’s patron goddess Amor and you may the fresh discover honesty of the elegiac poet-spouse, in addition, really stands the fresh elegiac mistress’s conventional love of magnificent gowns and you will high priced adornment
Ovid right here elaborates new moral of Propertius step one.2.a dozen to articulate a match up between the fresh new elegiac poet’s modest condition and elegiac partner’s naked emotion, and then he could possibly get and so signify this new elegiac poet-mate pursue Amor’s analogy inside eschewing fancy dress outfits. Propertius describes his partner decked out throughout the lady finery (step one.2.1–6): quid iuvat ornato procedere, vita, capillo et tenuis Coa veste movere sinus, aut quid Orontea crinis perfundere murra, teque peregrinis vendere muneribus, naturaeque decus mercato perdere cultu, nec sinere inside propriis membra nitere bonis?
194 Alison Keith As to why, living, are you willing to contentment to walk out along with your hair themed and you can rustle the new lean retracts of one’s Coan gown, or even to immerse your hair having Syrian myrrh and sell yourself getting foreign gifts, marring the charm by purchasing decoration and never enabling their limbs to sparkle the help of its natural appeal?
Myrrh and Coan ‘silk’ have been costly eastern luxury imports at the Rome, the former a keen Arabian item offered as a consequence of Syrian trading, the latter introduced into the area out-of Cos of the spinning the filaments regarding a great caterpillar similar to the Chinese silkworm.1 While the Coan cotton has also been nearly transparent (cf. Hor. Seated. 1.dos.101–103), it claimed new wearer’s intimate accessibility (an element you to definitely, paradoxically, aligns new elegist’s girlfriend having Amor). the brand new poem’s finishing line, taedia dum miserae sint tibi luxuriae, ‘provided your own wretched privileges establish monotonous for you,’ 1.2.32), he someplace else claims that the subtlety away from her dress motivates their slight elegiac verse (2.step one.3–8): low haec Calliope, low haec mihi cantat Apollo, ingenium nobis ipsa puella facit. sive illam Cois fulgentem incedere †cogis† hac totum e Coa veste volumen erit; seu vidi post frontem sparsos errare capillos, gaudet laudatis ire superba comis; Calliope will not sing such audio if you ask me, neither Apollo. My personal wife furnishes our very own determination. For many who compel this lady to go into shining inside Coan silks, my entire regularity often step out for the Coan raiment; or if I’ve seen this lady drifting with her hair spread over her forehead, she rejoices and walks out arrogantly whenever I’ve praised their hairdo.