31. It is worth while to
bring forward the words themselves also, which, when wine is offered,
it is customary to use and make supplication with: “Let
the deity
be worshipped with this wine which we
bring.”
4912
The
words “which we bring,” says Trebatius, are added for this
purpose, and put forth for this reason, that all the wine whatever
which has been laid up in closets and storerooms, from which was taken
that which is poured out, may not begin to be sacred, and be reft from
the use of men. This word, then, being added, that alone will be
sacred which is brought to
the place
, and the rest will not be
consecrated.
4913
What
kind of honour, then, is this, in which there is imposed on the deity a
condition,
4914
as it were,
not to ask more than has been given? or what is the greed of the god,
who, if he were not verbally interdicted, would extend his desires too
far, and rob his suppliant of his stores? “Let
the
deity
be worshipped with this wine which we bring:”
this is a wrong, not an honour. For what if the deity shall wish
for more, and shall not be content with what is brought! Must he
not be said to be signally wronged who is compelled to receive honour
conditionally? For if all wine in cellars whatever must become
consecrated were a limitation not added, it is manifest both that the
god is insulted to whom a limit is prescribed against his wishes, and
that in sacrificing you yourselves violate the obligations of the
sacred rites, who do not give as much wine as you see the god wishes to
be given to himself. “Let
the deity
be worshipped
with this wine which we bring:” what is this but saying,
“Be worshipped as much as I choose; receive as much dignity as I
prescribe, as much honour as I decide and determine by a strict
engagement
4915
that you should
have?” O sublimity of the gods, excelling in power, which
thou shouldst venerate and worship with all ceremonial observances, but
on which the worshipper imposes conditions, which he adores with
stipulations and contracts, which, through fear of one word, is kept
from excessive desire of wine
4912
Vino inferio.
4913
Lit., “bound by religion.”
4914
This is admirably illustrated in an inscription quoted by
Heraldus: “Jupiter most excellent, supreme, when this day I
give and dedicate to thee this altar, I give and dedicate it with these
conditions and limits which I say openly to-day.”
4915
Circumscriptione verborum.