Lucian of Samosata, Judicium vocalium, Austin Morris Harmon (Translator), 4

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[4] In that case, Lambda would not be at war with Rho, disputing the possession of pumice-stone (κίσηλις—κίσηρις) and headaches (κεφαλαλγάα—κεφαλαργία), nor would Gamma be quarreiling with Kappa and again and again almost coming to blows with him at the fuller’s (γναφεῖον—κναφεῖον) over pillows (γνάφαλλα—κνάφαλλα), and he would have been prevented from fighting with Lambda, too, openly stealing from him with some difficulty (μόλις—μόγις) and slyly filching without any doubt (μάλιστα— μάγιστα¹); and the rest would also have refrained from beginning illegal confusion. Surely it is best for each of us to stay in the place which belongs to him: to go wher

Judicium vocalium. Lucian of Samosata. Austin Morris Harmon (Translator). United States. Perseus 5.0.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

The Consonants at Law Sigma Vs. Tau, in the Court of the Seven Vowels (English) (Lucian, Vol. 1. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1913.)

Editions (1)

Δίκη Συμφώνων Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 1. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1913.) — 4 focus

[4] ὡς εἴθε καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἀνεκόπησαν τότε αἱ τόλμαι εὐθὺς ἀρξαμένων παρανομεῖν, καὶ οὐκ ἂν ἐπολέμει μέχρι νῦν τὸ Λάμβδα τῷ Ῥῶ διαμφισβητοῦν περὶ τῆς κισήρεως καὶ κεφαλαργίας, οὔτε τὸ Γάμμα τῷ Κάππα διηγωνίζετο καὶ ἐς χεῖρας μικροῦ δεῖν ἤρχετο πολλάκις ἐν τῷ γναφείῳ ὑπὲρ γναφάλλων, ἐπέπαυτο δʼ ἂν καὶ πρὸς τὸ Λάμβδα μαχόμενον, τὸ μόγις ἀφαιρούμενον αὐτοῦ καὶ μάλιστα παρακλέπτον, καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ δʼ ἂν ἠρέμει συγχύσεως ἄρχεσθαι παρανόμου· καλὸν γὰρ ἕκαστον μένειν ἐφʼ ἧς τετύχηκε τάξεως· τὸ δὲ ὑπερβαίνειν ἐς ἃ μὴ χρὴ λύοντός ἐστι τὸ δίκαιον.

Translations (1)

Trial in the Court of Vowels Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 1. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 4 focus

[4] It is much to be regretted that the assaults of other letters were not repelled when they first began their lawless practices; then we should not be watching the still pending dispute between Lambda and Rho for possession of κεφαλαλγία or κεφαλαργία, κίσηλις or κίσηρις: Gamma would not have had to defend its rights over γνάφαλλα, constantly almost at blows with Kappa in the debatable land, and per contra it would itself have dropped its campaign against Lambda (if indeed it is more dignified than petty larceny) for converting μόλις to μόγις: in fact lawless confusion generally would have been nipped in the bud. And it is well to abide by the established order; such trespasses betray a revolutionary spirit.

Notes on the current edition

The Consonants at Law Sigma Vs. Tau, in the Court of the Seven Vowels

1. The word μάλιστα may have been pronounced μάγιστα by the common people at some time or other. I know of no evidence that it was ever so written.

Lucian of Samosata Judicium vocalium 4

Austin Morris Harmon (Translator)

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