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The boor will go into the Assembly after drinking a posset and vow that its flavour of thyme is sweeter than any perfume. He will wear shoes too big for his feet. He will talk in a loud voice. He will have no faith in friends and relations, but will make his slaves his confidants in matters of the gravest import, and relate all the news from the Assembly to the hired labourers in his fields. He will sit down though he is wearing a cloak that does not reach his knee. He will stand wondering and awestruck if he sees an ox or an ass or a goat but will never be surprised or amazed at anything else he sees in the streets. He is accustomed to filch things to eat from the store-room and to drink wine a trifle strong. He will make love to the baking-woman and help her to grind the corn for his own and the family's use. He will eat his breakfast in process of pulling down hay for his beasts. He will answer the door himself and calling the dog to him seize it by the nose crying 'Behold the guardian of house and home.' If offered a piece of money he will refuse it, saying it is much too worn, and will take another for it. If he has lent his plough or basket or sickle or sack he will remember them while he lies awake at midnight and get up to go and demand their return. While journeying down to the city he will ask whomsoever he meets at what prices hides and salt-fish are going, and if the magistrate celebrates the new moon to-day,1 declaring further that he is going to have his hair cut in town, and at this same visit he is going to buy some salt-fish at Archias' store as he passes. He is in the habit of singing at the bath and will equip his shoes with nails. 1 The stupidity consists in using words
of ilI-omen, for 'he associates death with himself
and with his questioner by a wish. ' --;Jebb.
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BOORISHNESS appears to be ignorance of the requirements
of propriety.