Regardless if Propertius here deprecates his beloved’s indulgence in sartorial luxury (cf

This new verb tego, with a primary feeling of ‘conceal’ (Dated s.v. tego step one), appear to means ‘clothe’ (Dated s.v. tego 3) and you may clearly consists of it resonance here in the directed juxtaposition which have nudasse, regarding nudo, ‘build nude, divest’ (Dated s.v. nudo step one). Brand new poem and therefore announces ‘dress’ – or rather ‘undress’ – as an excellent polyvalent contour to own Sulpicia’s elegiac poetics. According to the amatory system of contemporary Latin elegy Sulpicia privileges sensual, socially quit strip down more than recognized, socially conformist skirt for example create fit see your face she ‘leaves on’ for society, as the she claims on the poem’s last couplet (vultus componere famae | taedet, ‘I’m sick of composing a nose and mouth mask getting rumour,’ 3.thirteen.9–10). From the stating through the metaphor of disrobing the woman intent to get their amatory passages on the circulation, Sulpicia combines two frequently in comparison

Compared to this new nakedness off elegy’s patron deity Amor and you can this new unlock trustworthiness of your own elegiac poet-companion, likewise, stands the fresh elegiac mistress’s antique love of luxurious clothes and you may pricey adornment

193 Sartorial Attractiveness and you will Poetic Finesse throughout the Sulpician Corpus elegiac top rules. Propertius, eg, rebukes his domme on her behalf interest in pricey attire to make-with the new observance your naked jesus does not admire artificially improved charm (nudus Amor formae low amat artificem, 1.2.8). Furthermore Ovid argues one, even though he may do not have the money and you will higher ancestry in order to attract his mistress, other qualities – along with their blameless reputation, unlock trustworthiness, and you can blushing modesty – would be to commend your to the lady (Was. step one.step three.7–14): au moment ou myself non veterum commendant magna parentum nomina, quand nostri sanguinis auctor eques, nec meus innumeris repus aratris, temperat mais aussi sumptus parcus uterque parens: during the Phoebus comitesque novem vitisque repertor hac faciunt et myself qui tibi donat Amor et nulli cessura fides, sine crimine mores, nudaque simplicitas purpureusque pudor. If the higher brands regarding my dated forefathers do not strongly recommend myself, whether your composer of our very own lineage was a keen equestrian, neither is my home revived which have lots of ploughs, each parent frugally husbands expense, however Apollo, new nine Muses, their friends, and Dionysus, discoverer of your vine, just take my personal part also Love whom provides us to you, commitment which can submit to nothing, a characteristics versus blemish, open trustworthiness, and blushing modesty.

Ovid right here elaborates this new moral off Propertius 1.dos.twelve in order to articulate a match up between the elegiac poet’s very humble updates as well as the elegiac partner’s naked feeling, and he get and so mean that the newest elegiac poet-lover employs Amor’s analogy within the eschewing fancy-dress. Propertius identifies their spouse clothed throughout her 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 within the propriis membra nitere bonis?

To the one hand, nudity ‘s the characteristic feature regarding Amor, tutelary goddess of Latin sensual elegy and you may patron of one’s elegiac poetlover

194 Alison Keith As to why, my life, would you glee simply to walk away together with your locks themed and rustle the thinner folds of Coan dress, or even soak your hair having Syrian myrrh and sell yourself having overseas gift ideas, marring your natural splendor by purchasing decoration and never allowing your own limbs in order to glow using their innate charms?

Myrrh and you can Coan ‘silk’ was indeed high priced east luxury imports at Rome, the former a keen Arabian item readily available by way of Syrian change, the second brought towards area out of Cos by rotating the newest filaments of an effective caterpillar just like the Chinese silkworm.step one As Coan silk was also nearly transparent (cf. Hor. Seated. step one http://datingranking.net/nl/the-perfect-match-overzicht/.2.101–103), they reported the new wearer’s sexual supply (an attribute you to definitely, paradoxically, aligns the brand new elegist’s partner which have Amor). the fresh new poem’s finishing range, taedia dum miserae sint tibi luxuriae, ‘so long as their wretched privileges confirm monotonous to you personally,’ 1.2.32), the guy someplace else asserts that subtlety away from her gown motivates their discreet elegiac verse (2.step one.3–8): non 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 ad frontem sparsos errare capillos, gaudet laudatis ire superba comis; Calliope doesn’t play these types of sounds if you ask me, neither Apollo. My spouse furnishes the desire. If you compel this lady to get in shining inside Coan silks, my personal whole volume tend to walk out for the Coan raiment; or if I’ve seen their wandering along with her locks spread-over the girl forehead, she rejoices and you can walks out arrogantly whenever I have applauded their hairdo.