New verb tego, that has a first feeling of ‘conceal’ (Old s.v. tego step one), apparently mode ‘clothe’ (Dated s.v. tego step 3) and you will clearly include it resonance in the pointed juxtaposition that have nudasse, out of nudo, ‘build nude, divest’ (Old s.v. nudo 1). The fresh new poem and so declares ‘dress’ – or rather ‘undress’ – since the an excellent polyvalent shape having Sulpicia’s elegiac poetics. According to the amatory program of modern Latin elegy Sulpicia benefits sensual, socially given up undress over respectable, socially conformist skirt like would match your face she ‘leaves on’ getting people, because the she states throughout the poem’s finally couplet (vultus componere famae | taedet, ‘I’m fed up with writing a breathing apparatus to own rumour,’ step three.13.9–10). By stating from the metaphor regarding disrobing their purpose to get this lady amatory passages towards flow, Sulpicia brings together a few frequently in comparison
Toward one hand, nudity is the feature feature out-of Amor, tutelary deity out-of Latin erotic elegy and patron of one’s elegiac poetlover
193 Sartorial Elegance and you may Poetic Finesse from the Sulpician Corpus elegiac top requirements. Propertius, eg, rebukes his mistress on her interest in high priced attire while making-with the fresh new observance that the nude jesus cannot honor artificially enhanced charm (nudus Amor formae low amat artificem, 1.dos.8). Likewise Ovid argues that, even when he may do not have the wealth and you may high origin so you can allure his mistress, most other characteristics – as well as their blameless character, open trustworthiness, and blushing modesty – is commend your so you can their (In the morning. 1.3.7–14): si myself low veterum commendant magna parentum nomina, si nostri sanguinis auctor eques, nec meus innumeris repus aratris, temperat ainsi que sumptus parcus uterque parens: in the Phoebus comitesque novem vitisque repertor hac faciunt et me personally qui tibi donat Amor ainsi que nulli cessura fides, sine crimine mores, nudaque simplicitas purpureusque pudor. If for example the higher brands from my personal dated ancestors do not suggest me personally, in the event your composer of all of our origin try an enthusiastic equestrian, nor is actually my estate restored having a lot of ploughs, each mother or father frugally husbands costs, however Apollo, new 9 Muses, their friends, and Dionysus, discoverer of your own vine, bring my personal area as well as Like whom gets us to your, commitment that will submit to none, a nature instead blemish, open honesty, and blushing modesty.
Compared to the fresh new nakedness away from elegy’s patron goddess Amor and the fresh new discover sincerity of your elegiac poet-mate, on the other hand, stands new elegiac mistress’s traditional passion for lavish clothes and you may pricey adornment
Ovid right here elaborates the new ethical away from Propertius step 1.2.twelve incontri nudisti nudi to articulate a match up between the fresh elegiac poet’s very humble condition and the elegiac partner’s naked feeling, and then he can get thereby imply that the fresh elegiac poet-lover observe Amor’s example in the eschewing fancy dress. Propertius means their partner dressed up in every this lady finery (step one.2.1–6): quid iuvat ornato procedere, vita, capillo mais aussi tenuis Coa veste movere sinus, aut quid Orontea crinis perfundere murra, teque peregrinis vendere muneribus, naturaeque decus mercato perdere cultu, nec sinere into the propriis membra nitere bonis?
194 Alison Keith As to the reasons, living, is it possible you joy simply to walk out together with your tresses inspired and you will rustle the fresh thin retracts of one’s Coan outfit, or even drench hair that have Syrian myrrh market on your own to own international gifts, marring your natural splendor by purchasing adornment and never enabling the branches in order to shine with regards to natural charms?
Myrrh and you may Coan ‘silk’ have been high priced east deluxe imports on Rome, the previous an Arabian product offered as a consequence of Syrian change, the second brought to your area regarding Cos by the spinning the latest filaments off a great caterpillar just like the Chinese silkworm.1 While the Coan silk has also been almost transparent (cf. Hor. Sat. step 1.2.101–103), it reported the brand new wearer’s intimate access (an attribute you to definitely, paradoxically, aligns this new elegist’s partner that have Amor). the brand new poem’s concluding line, taedia dum miserae sint tibi luxuriae, ‘provided your own wretched privileges establish tiresome for your requirements,’ step 1.dos.32), the guy somewhere else asserts the subtlety out of her gown motivates his slight elegiac verse (2.step 1.3–8): low haec Calliope, non haec mihi cantat Apollo, ingenium nobis ipsa puella facit. sive illam Cois fulgentem incedere †cogis† hac totum elizabeth Coa veste volumen erit; seu vidi offer frontem sparsos errare capillos, gaudet laudatis ire superba comis; Calliope will not sing these audio in my opinion, neither Apollo. My wife furnishes our determination. If you force this lady to enter shining within the Coan silks, my entire frequency often walk out during the Coan raiment; or if I’ve seen this lady drifting together with her locks spread over the lady temple, she rejoices and treks away arrogantly whenever I have recognized the girl hairdo.