⚠Page shows significant foxing and staining throughout, though text remains legible.

BOOK I.

The page shows significant brown spotting and staining from age, but the text is still clear.

IV.

The Ceremonies of the Hunters.

Meanwhile, it is forbidden for anyone to remove his cap.

It stays fixed like a helmet.

Even if Apollo, Diana, or Caesar should pass by,

They will not see a bare head.

original: "Phœbus, Latonia, Cæsar." Apollo (Phoebus) and Diana (daughter of Latona) represent the sun and moon or the gods of the hunt. Even royalty (Caesar) does not receive a salute by doffing the hat during this ritual. Later, when the evening Sun has sailed

Through the clear waters of the great sky,

And, tired of the road, looks toward the Western port,

The Hunt also arrives.

The "Western port" refers to the sunset over the Atlantic or the Iberian coast. Therefore they return home, their temples bound with oak leaves:

The wives praise the wild game.

Here hunger, seasoned by sweat, is set out; a meal

That many Kings would once have bought.

And someone falls into a deep sleep on a mound of earth,

Sounding loudly through his snoring nose.

Another imitates the goat-footed Fauns, and sings

A song pleasing to the Nymphs of the dells.

original: "Napæis." The Napaeae are nymphs who inhabit wooded valleys and glens.

ANTITHESIS.

Meanwhile, it is forbidden for anyone to avoid the color of the sun.

They are burned like a wax candle.

A panting thirst burns, and being deeply inflamed,

It refuses to yield to warm liquid.

And while the dog barks, the hunter’s bowels also bark,

And his two-legged belly snarls.

So that many, upon their return, would want to eat hemp

Or even sawdust itself: but they have none.

V.

The Hunter’s Jargon.

There are certain limits. We have certain words.

There is a wondrous grace in our speaking.

He who does not wish to be considered a wild ass, a ram, or a fool,

Must not sin against these words.

original: "onager, vervex vel obesus." An onager is a wild ass. A vervex is a castrated sheep, often used as an insult for a blockhead. You could more safely watch Diana bathing in the grove,

Or betray the secrets of Jupiter;

original: "Triviam." Trivia is an epithet for the goddess Diana. This refers to the myth of Actaeon, who was punished for seeing the goddess bathing.