ALCÆUS TROCE VTQ, &c.
This is Alcæus's tomb; who died by a radish, The daughter of the earth, and punisher of Adulterers. This punishment inflicted on adulterers, was thrusting one of the largest radishes up the anus of the adulterer: or, for want of radishes, they made use of a fish with a very large head, which Juvenal alludes to:
Quosdam mæchos et mugilis intrat. Sat. x.
The mullet enters some behind.
Hence we may understand the menace of Catullus,
Ah! tum te miserum, malique fati,
Quum attractis pedibus, patente porta,
Percurrent rapunquie magileque. Epig. xv.
Ah! wretched thou, and born to luckless fate,
Who art discover'd by the unhut gate!
If once, alas! the jealous husband come,
The radish or the sea-fish is thy doom.