Juvenal: SATVRAE

Omnibus in terris, quae sunt a Gadibus usque
Auroram et Gangen, pauci dinoscere possunt
uera bona atque illis multum diuersa, remota
erroris nebula. quid enim ratione timemus
aut cupimus? quid tam dextro pede concipis ut te

To all lands on earth, which are from Gades as far as the Dawn and the Ganges,
few can discern the true goods and those much different from them, removed
by a mist of error. For what do we by reason fear or desire?
what do you conceive so with the right foot that you

conatus non paeniteat uotique peracti?
euertere domos totas optantibus ipsis
di faciles. nocitura toga, nocitura petuntur
militia; torrens dicendi copia multis
et sua mortifera est facundia; uiribus ille

may the conatus not cause repentance, nor the vow once fulfilled;
may the gods be favourable to those who themselves desire to overturn whole houses.
The toga will be hurtful, the militia sought will be hurtful;
a torrent of speaking's abundance is for many, and eloquence itself is deadly; that man by viribus

confisus periit admirandisque lacertis;
sed pluris nimia congesta pecunia cura
strangulat et cuncta exuperans patrimonia census
quanto delphinis ballaena Britannica maior.
temporibus diris igitur iussuque Neronis

trusting, he perished, and by wondrous arms;
but the care of money, piled up too great and of more value, strangles and, surpassing all patrimonies, the census
by as much as the British whale is greater than dolphins.
therefore in dire times and by Nero’s command

Longinum et magnos Senecae praediuitis hortos
clausit et egregias Lateranorum obsidet aedes
tota cohors: rarus uenit in cenacula miles.
pauca licet portes argenti uascula puri
nocte iter ingressus, gladium contumque timebis

He assigned Longinus and the great gardens of Seneca, shut them up, and the whole cohort besieges the noble Lateran houses:
a soldier rarely comes into the upper rooms.
Although you may carry a few vessels of pure silver as you enter the road by night, you will fear the sword and contempt

et mota ad lunam trepidabis harundinis umbra:
cantabit uacuus coram latrone uiator.
prima fere uota et cunctis notissima templis
diuitiae, crescant ut opes, ut maxima toto
nostra sit arca foro. sed nulla aconita bibuntur

and moved toward the moon you will quake at the shadow of the reed:
an empty wayfarer will sing before the robber.
almost the first vows and to all most famous in the temples
wealth — may riches grow, that our chest may be the greatest in the whole
marketplace. But no aconites are drunk

fictilibus; tunc illa time cum pocula sumes
gemmata et lato Setinum ardebit in auro.
iamne igitur laudas quod de sapientibus alter
ridebat, quotiens a limine mouerat unum
protuleratque pedem, flebat contrarius auctor?

from earthenware; then fear, when you take the cups,
that she, gemmed, and Setine wine in a broad vessel will burn in gold.
do you now therefore praise that which another laughed at concerning the wise,
how often, when he had moved one from the threshold
and had thrust forward a foot, the opposing author was weeping?

sed facilis cuiuis rigidi censura cachinni:
mirandum est unde ille oculis suffecerit umor.
perpetuo risu pulmonem agitare solebat
Democritus, quamquam non essent urbibus illis
praetextae, trabeae, fasces, lectica, tribunal.

but the censure of any rigid critic is easily met by cachinnation:
it is marvelous whence that moisture sufficed for his eyes.
Democritus was wont to exercise his lungs with perpetual laughter,
although in those cities there were not the praetextae, trabeae, fasces, lectica, tribunal.

quid si uidisset praetorem curribus altis
extantem et medii sublimem puluere circi
in tunica Iouis et pictae Sarrana ferentem
ex umeris aulaea togae magnaeque coronae
tantum orbem, quanto ceruix non sufficit ulla?

what if he had seen the praetor on high chariots
projecting and lofty above the mid‑dust of the circus
in the tunic of Jove and bearing the painted Sarrana
the aulaea of the toga from his shoulders and the great crown’s
so vast a circle, that no neck at all suffices for it?

quippe tenet sudans hanc publicus et, sibi consul
ne placeat, curru seruus portatur eodem.
da nunc et uolucrem, sceptro quae surgit eburno,
illinc cornicines, hinc praecedentia longi
agminis officia et niueos ad frena Quirites,

for indeed the public officer holds this sweating man, and, that he may not please himself as consul, is borne by a slave in the same chariot.
give now also the winged one, who rises with an ivory sceptre,
thence the trumpeters, hence the duties that lead the long procession
and the snow-white Quirites to the reins,

defossa in loculos quos sportula fecit amicos.
tum quoque materiam risus inuenit ad omnis
occursus hominum, cuius prudentia monstrat
summos posse uiros et magna exempla daturos
ueruecum in patria crassoque sub aere nasci.

buried in the little lockers which the sportula made for friends.
then likewise he found matter for laughter at every meeting of men,
whose prudence shows that the very highest men are able and will give great examples,
yet indeed are born in the fatherland and under a dense, thick air.

ridebat curas nec non et gaudia uolgi,
interdum et lacrimas, cum Fortunae ipse minaci
mandaret laqueum mediumque ostenderet unguem.
ergo superuacua aut quae perniciosa petuntur?
propter quae fas est genua incerare deorum?

he laughed at cares and likewise at the joys of the crowd,
and at times even at the tears, when he himself put on Fortune’s threatening noose
and held up the middle finger.
therefore are superfluities or those perniciously sought?
for the sake of which is it right to anoint the knees of the gods?

quosdam praecipitat subiecta potentia magnae
inuidiae, mergit longa atque insignis honorum
pagina. descendunt statuae restemque secuntur,
ipsas deinde rotas bigarum inpacta securis
caedit et inmeritis franguntur crura caballis.

a power of great envy, laid beneath, hurls some headlong,
the long and conspicuous page of honours drowns them. Statues descend and follow the remainder,
then axes, having struck the wheels of the two-horse chariots, hew them down, and the legs of undeserving horses are broken.

iam strident ignes, iam follibus atque caminis
ardet adoratum populo caput et crepat ingens
Seianus, deinde ex facie toto orbe secunda
fiunt urceoli, pelues, sartago, matellae.
pone domi laurus, duc in Capitolia magnum

now the fires hiss, now with bellows and hearths the head adored by the people burns and mighty Sejanus crackles,
then from that visage throughout the whole orb there spring up small pitchers, basins, a frying-pan, cooking-pots.
leave the laurel at home, bring the great one into the Capitoline

cretatumque bouem: Seianus ducitur unco
spectandus, gaudent omnes. 'quae labra, quis illi
uultus erat! numquam, si quid mihi credis, amaui
hunc hominem.

and the ox chalked: Sejanus is led on a hook
to be gazed at, all rejoice. 'what lips, what face
he had! never, if you trust me at all, did I love
this man.

sed quo cecidit sub crimine? quisnam
delator quibus indicibus, quo teste probauit?'

but on what charge did he fall? which accuser,
by what informers, with what witness did he prove it?'

'nil horum; uerbosa et grandis epistula uenit
a Capreis.' 'bene habet, nil plus interrogo.' sed quid
turba Remi? sequitur fortunam, ut semper, et odit
damnatos. idem populus, si Nortia Tusco
fauisset, si oppressa foret secura senectus

'None of these; a verbose and grand letter came from Capreae.' 'Well said, I ask nothing more.' but what of Remi's crowd? it follows fortune, as always, and hates the damned. the same populace, if Nortia had favored the Tuscan, if secure old age had been overthrown

principis, hac ipsa Seianum diceret hora
Augustum. iam pridem, ex quo suffragia nulli
uendimus, effudit curas; nam qui dabat olim
imperium, fasces, legiones, omnia, nunc se
continet atque duas tantum res anxius optat,

of the prince; at this very hour he would call Sejanus Augustus.
already long since, since we sell votes to no one, he has poured out cares; for he who once gave command, fasces, legions, all things, now restrains himself and anxiously desires only two things,

panem et circenses. 'perituros audio multos.'
'nil dubium, magna est fornacula.' 'pallidulus mi
Bruttidius meus ad Martis fuit obuius aram;
quam timeo, uictus ne poenas exigat Aiax
ut male defensus. curramus praecipites et,

bread and circuses. 'I hear that many are about to perish.'
'no doubt, the furnaces are great.' 'my pale little Bruttidius met me at Mars' altar;
which I fear, lest Ajax, conquered, exact punishments as one ill defended. let us run headlong and,

dum iacet in ripa, calcemus Caesaris hostem.
sed uideant serui, ne quis neget et pauidum in ius
ceruice obstricta dominum trahat.' hi sermones
tunc de Seiano, secreta haec murmura uolgi.
uisne salutari sicut Seianus, habere

while he lies on the bank, let us trample Caesar’s enemy underfoot.
but let the slaves see that no one may deny and drag their fearful master bound by the neck into law.
these were then the words about Sejanus, these secret murmurs of the crowd.
do you wish to have a salutary Sejanus, to possess

tantundem atque illi summas donare curules,
illum exercitibus praeponere, tutor haberi
principis angusta Caprearum in rupe sedentis
cum grege Chaldaeo? uis certe pila, cohortis,
egregios equites et castra domestica; quidni

just as much as to him—to confer the highest curule honours,
to place him over the armies, to be held guardian
of the prince, sitting on the narrow rock of Capreae
with a Chaldean throng? Do you desire, then, pila, cohorts,
distinguished horsemen and the household camps; why not

haec cupias? et qui nolunt occidere quemquam
posse uolunt. sed quae praeclara et prospera tanti,
ut rebus laetis par sit mensura malorum?
huius qui trahitur praetextam sumere mauis
an Fidenarum Gabiorumque esse potestas

Would you desire these things? and those who do not wish to kill anyone wish to be able to do so.
But what glorious and prosperous things are of such worth, that, in happy affairs, the measure of evils should be equal?
Would you rather take up the praetexta of one who is being dragged away
or be the power of Fidenae and Gabii

100

et de mensura ius dicere, uasa minora
frangere pannosus uacuis aedilis Vlubris?
ergo quid optandum foret ignorasse fateris
Seianum; nam qui nimios optabat honores
et nimias poscebat opes, numerosa parabat

and to pronounce law about measure, to break the smaller vessels — the ragged aedile of Vlubris with empty hands?
therefore you confess that it would have been desirable to be ignorant of Sejanus; for he who coveted excessive honors
and demanded excessive wealth was preparing numerous

105

excelsae turris tabulata, unde altior esset
casus et inpulsae praeceps inmane ruinae.
quid Crassos, quid Pompeios euertit et illum,
ad sua qui domitos deduxit flagra Quirites?
summus nempe locus nulla non arte petitus

the lofty tower, storeyed, from which the fall would be the deeper
and the struck headlong of monstrous ruin.
what overturns Crassuses, what Pompeys, and him,
who led the conquered to his own with the Quirites' flames?
for the highest place, certainly, is sought by every art

110

magnaque numinibus uota exaudita malignis.
ad generum Cereris sine caede ac uulnere pauci
descendunt reges et sicca morte tyranni.
eloquium ac famam Demosthenis aut Ciceronis
incipit optare et totis quinquatribus optat

and great vows, answered by the numina, for the malign.
to the son-in-law of Ceres, without slaughter or wound, few kings descend, and tyrants to a dry death.
he begins to long for the eloquence and fame of Demosthenes or Cicero
and desires it through all the quinquatribes

115

quisquis adhuc uno parcam colit asse Mineruam,
quem sequitur custos angustae uernula capsae.
eloquio sed uterque perit orator, utrumque
largus et exundans leto dedit ingenii fons.
ingenio manus est et ceruix caesa, nec umquam

whoever still with one lone as cherishes frugal Minerva,
whom a custodian, the little slave of the narrow chest, follows.
but by eloquence each perishes — the orator; both
a lavish and overflowing fount of talent gave to death.
by talent there is a hand and a neck cut off, nor ever

120

sanguine causidici maduerunt rostra pusilli.
'o fortunatam natam me consule Romam:'
Antoni gladios potuit contemnere si sic
omnia dixisset. ridenda poemata malo
quam te, conspicuae diuina Philippica famae,

the puny rostra were soaked with the pleader’s blood.
'O fortunate Rome, born with me as consul:'
he could have scorned Antony’s swords, had he thus spoken all things.
I would rather have poems laughed at than you, O Philippic, divine of conspicuous fame,

125

uolueris a prima quae proxima. saeuus et illum
exitus eripuit, quem mirabantur Athenae
torrentem et pleni moderantem frena theatri.
dis ille aduersis genitus fatoque sinistro,
quem pater ardentis massae fuligine lippus

you will desire from the first that which is nearest. nor did a cruel end spare him,
whom Athens admired — a torrent and one who guided the reins of the crowded theatre.
he, born to gods hostile and to a sinister fate,
whom his father, bleared with the soot of the burning mass,

130

a carbone et forcipibus gladiosque paranti
incude et luteo Volcano ad rhetora misit.
bellorum exuuiae, truncis adfixa tropaeis
lorica et fracta de casside buccula pendens
et curtum temone iugum uictaeque triremis

from charcoal and tongs, preparing swords, he sent an anvil and the bellows to yellow Vulcan.
the spoils of wars, fastened to trunks as trophies,
a cuirass and a cheekpiece hanging broken from a helmet,
and a shortened yoke on the pole, and of the conquered triremes

135

aplustre et summo tristis captiuos in arcu
humanis maiora bonis creduntur. ad hoc se
Romanus Graiusque et barbarus induperator
erexit, causas discriminis atque laboris
inde habuit: tanto maior famae sitis est quam

aplustre and on the summit of the arch the sad captives in the prow
are esteemed greater than human goods. To this end the Roman, the Greek, and the barbarian induperator
raised himself, and thence had the causes of distinction and of toil:
so much greater is the thirst for fame than

140

uirtutis. quis enim uirtutem amplectitur ipsam,
praemia si tollas? patriam tamen obruit olim
gloria paucorum et laudis titulique cupido
haesuri saxis cinerum custodibus, ad quae
discutienda ualent sterilis mala robora fici,

of virtue. for who indeed embraces virtue itself,
if you remove the rewards? yet once glory overwhelmed the fatherland of a few, and the desire of praise and of title, eager to cling to the rocks that guard the ashes, to which
for breaking apart evils the barren strengths of the fig are able,

145

quandoquidem data sunt ipsis quoque fata sepulcris.
expende Hannibalem: quot libras in duce summo
inuenies? hic est quem non capit Africa Mauro
percussa oceano Niloque admota tepenti
rursus ad Aethiopum populos aliosque elephantos.

since fates have been allotted even to the tombs themselves.
weigh Hannibal: how many pounds will you find in so great a leader?
this is he whom not even Africa contains — struck by the Moorish ocean and the Nile brought warm — again toward the peoples of the Aethiopians and toward other elephants.

150

additur imperiis Hispania, Pyrenaeum
transilit. opposuit natura Alpemque niuemque:
diducit scopulos et montem rumpit aceto.
iam tenet Italiam, tamen ultra pergere tendit.
'acti' inquit 'nihil est, nisi Poeno milite portas

Spain is added to his commands; he leaps the Pyrenees.
Nature opposed him, the Alps and the snow:
he cleaves the crags and with vinegar breaks the mountain.
Now he holds Italy, yet he strives to march farther.
"'Acti,' he says, 'is nothing, unless you bear the gates with a Carthaginian soldier'

155

frangimus et media uexillum pono Subura.'
o qualis facies et quali digna tabella,
cum Gaetula ducem portaret belua luscum!
exitus ergo quis est? o gloria!

we break and set the vexillum in the middle of the Subura.
o what a face and what a worthy tabella,
when a Gaetulian belua bore a luscus dux!
exitus ergo quis est? o gloria!

uincitur idem
nempe et in exilium praeceps fugit atque ibi magnus

the same is conquered
indeed also headlong he flees into exile, and there great

160

mirandusque cliens sedet ad praetoria regis,
donec Bithyno libeat uigilare tyranno.
finem animae, quae res humanas miscuit olim,
non gladii, non saxa dabunt nec tela, sed ille
Cannarum uindex et tanti sanguinis ultor

and the wondrous cliens sits at the king’s praetoria,
until it pleases the Bithynian tyrant to be vigilant.
the end of the anima, which once mingled human res,
neither gladii, nor saxa, nor tela will give, but he
the uindex of Cannae and ultor of so great a sanguis

165

anulus. i, demens, et saeuas curre per Alpes
ut pueris placeas et declamatio fias.
unus Pellaeo iuueni non sufficit orbis,
aestuat infelix angusto limite mundi
ut Gyarae clausus scopulis paruaque Seripho;

O ring! Go, madman, and run through the savage Alps
that you may please the boys and be made a declamation.
One world is not enough for the Pellaean youth,
the unhappy one seethes within the narrow limit of the world
as if shut in by the rocks of Gyara and the little Seriphos;

170

cum tamen a figulis munitam intrauerit urbem,
sarcophago contentus erit. mors sola fatetur
quantula sint hominum corpuscula. creditur olim
uelificatus Athos et quidquid Graecia mendax
audet in historia, constratum classibus isdem

yet when he has entered the city fortified by potters,
he will be content with a sarcophagus. Death alone confesses
how small the little bodies of men are. It is believed that once
Athos was sail‑borne, and whatever mendacious Greece dares in history
was strewn by the same fleets

175

suppositumque rotis solidum mare; credimus altos
defecisse amnes epotaque flumina Medo
prandente et madidis cantat quae Sostratus alis.
ille tamen qualis rediit Salamine relicta,
in Corum atque Eurum solitus saeuire flagellis

and a solid sea set beneath the wheels; we believe that the deep rivers have failed and the streams drunk dry by the Median while dining, and that which Sostratus sings with his wet wings. He, however, just as he returned from Salamis left behind, accustomed to rage at Corus and Eurus with whips

180

barbarus Aeolio numquam hoc in carcere passos,
ipsum conpedibus qui uinxerat Ennosigaeum
(mitius id sane, quod non et stigmate dignum
credidit. huic quisquam uellet seruire deorum?)—
sed qualis rediit? nempe una naue, cruentis

never did a barbarian endure this in an Aeolian prison,
he himself who had bound Ennosigaeus with fetters
(and indeed he judged that milder, because he thought it not even worthy of a brand.
would anyone wish to serve the gods of such a man?)—
but what sort of man returned? namely in one ship, with bloody

185

fluctibus ac tarda per densa cadauera prora.
has totiens optata exegit gloria poenas.
'da spatium uitae, multos da, Iuppiter, annos.'
hoc recto uoltu, solum hoc et pallidus optas.

with the prow through the waves and slow amid dense corpses.
so often did glory exact these longed‑for penalties.
'grant a span of life, grant many years, Jupiter.'
with that straight visage — this alone, and pale, you desire.

sed quam continuis et quantis longa senectus

but how continuous, and of how great length is old age

190

plena malis! deformem et taetrum ante omnia uultum
dissimilemque sui, deformem pro cute pellem
pendentisque genas et talis aspice rugas
quales, umbriferos ubi pandit Thabraca saltus,
in uetula scalpit iam mater simia bucca.

full of evils! a deformed and loathsome countenance above all,
and dissimilar to herself, deformed — a hide for skin —
and hanging cheeks; and behold such wrinkles
as, where Thabraca spreads its shady groves,
the mother she-ape already carves upon the old she‑face.

195

plurima sunt iuuenum discrimina, pulchrior ille
hoc atque +ille+ alio, multum hic robustior illo:
una senum facies, cum uoce trementia membra
et iam leue caput madidique infantia nasi;
frangendus misero gingiua panis inermi.

Very many are the distinctions of youths: that one fairer in this respect and that one in another, this one much more robust than that;
one face of old men, with voice trembling, limbs and already the slight head and the infantile wetness of the nose;
the gum of the wretched must be broken on unresisting bread.

200

usque adeo grauis uxori natisque sibique,
ut captatori moueat fastidia Cosso.
non eadem uini atque cibi torpente palato
gaudia; nam coitus iam longa obliuio, uel si
coneris, iacet exiguus cum ramice neruus

so burdensome toward his wife and children and himself,
that he moves disgust even toward the procurer Cossus.
not the same are the pleasures of wine and of food with a numbing palate;
for sexual union is now a long oblivion, or if
you strive, the small nerve lies along with the little branch

205

et, quamuis tota palpetur nocte, iacebit.
anne aliquid sperare potest haec inguinis aegri
canities? quid quod merito suspecta libido est
quae uenerem adfectat sine uiribus?

and, although she is caressed the whole night, she will lie.
Can this canities of a diseased groin hope for anything?
what of the fact that the libido is rightly suspected which seeks venery without virility?

aspice partis
nunc damnum alterius. nam quae cantante uoluptas,

look to the other's part
now the loss of another. for that pleasure which, singing,

210

sit licet eximius, citharoedo siue Seleuco
et quibus aurata mos est fulgere lacerna?
quid refert, magni sedeat qua parte theatri
qui uix cornicines exaudiet atque tubarum
concentus? clamore opus est ut sentiat auris

let him be distinguished, whether a citharode or Seleucus
and to whom it is the custom for a gilded cloak to gleam?
what matters on which part of the great theatre he sits,
who will hardly hear the trumpeters and the concert of pipes?
a shout is needed that the ear may perceive

215

quem dicat uenisse puer, quot nuntiet horas.
praeterea minimus gelido iam in corpore sanguis
febre calet sola, circumsilit agmine facto
morborum omne genus, quorum si nomina quaeras,
promptius expediam quot amauerit Oppia moechos,

whom the boy will say has come, what hours he will proclaim.
moreover the smallest blood now in the cold body glows hot with fever alone, all kinds of maladies leap up once a host is formed,
of diseases of every sort, and if you ask their names,
I will more promptly set forth how many adulterers Oppia has loved,

220

quot Themison aegros autumno occiderit uno,
quot Basilus socios, quot circumscripserit Hirrus
pupillos, quot longa uiros exorbeat uno
Maura die, quot discipulos inclinet Hamillus;
percurram citius quot uillas possideat nunc

how many the sick whom Themison has slain in one autumn,
how many companions Basilus, how many wards Hirrus has circumscribed,
how many men a single long Moorish day overthrows, how many pupils Hamillus bends;
I will run through more swiftly how many villas he now possesses

225

quo tondente grauis iuueni mihi barba sonabat.
ille umero, hic lumbis, hic coxa debilis; ambos
perdidit ille oculos et luscis inuidet; huius
pallida labra cibum accipiunt digitis alienis,
ipse ad conspectum cenae diducere rictum

while a heavy beard was being clipped, my beard made a sound to the youth.
that one on the shoulder, this on the loins, this a feeble thigh;
that man destroyed both eyes and envies the one‑eyed;
the pale lips of this one receive food from another’s fingers,
he himself spreads his gape at the very sight of the dinner

230

suetus hiat tantum ceu pullus hirundinis, ad quem
ore uolat pleno mater ieiuna. sed omni
membrorum damno maior dementia, quae nec
nomina seruorum nec uoltum agnoscit amici
cum quo praeterita cenauit nocte, nec illos

used to gape only like the chick of a swallow, to whom
the hungry mother flies with a full mouth. But a madness greater
than any loss of limbs, which neither
recognizes the names of slaves nor the face of a friend
with whom he dined the previous night, nor those

235

quos genuit, quos eduxit. nam codice saeuo
heredes uetat esse suos, bona tota feruntur
ad Phialen; tantum artificis ualet halitus oris,
quod steterat multis in carcere fornicis annis.
ut uigeant sensus animi, ducenda tamen sunt

whom she begot, whom she brought up. For a cruel codicil forbids the heirs to be their own; all the goods are carried off to Phiale; only the breath of the artisan’s mouth avails,
which had stood for many years in the prison of the brothel.
that the senses of the mind may be vigorous, yet they must be led

240

funera natorum, rogus aspiciendus amatae
coniugis et fratris plenaeque sororibus urnae.
haec data poena diu uiuentibus, ut renouata
semper clade domus multis in luctibus inque
perpetuo maerore et nigra ueste senescant.

The funerals of her sons, the pyre to be beheld of the beloved wife
and of the brother, and urns full for the sisters.
This punishment granted to the living for a long time, that with renewed
perpetual sorrow and in black raiment.

245

rex Pylius, magno si quicquam credis Homero,
exemplum uitae fuit a cornice secundae.
felix nimirum, qui tot per saecula mortem
distulit atque suos iam dextra conputat annos,
quique nouum totiens mustum bibit. oro parumper

King Pylius, if you credit anything of great Homer,
was an example of a life favored by a propitious crow.
Happy indeed is he, who for so many ages deferred death
and already with his right hand counts his years,
and who so often drinks new must. I beg a little while

250

attendas quantum de legibus ipse queratur
fatorum et nimio de stamine, cum uidet acris
Antilochi barbam ardentem, cum quaerit ab omni,
quisquis adest, socio cur haec in tempora duret,
quod facinus dignum tam longo admiserit aeuo.

attend how much he himself laments the laws of the Fates and about the over‑fine thread, when he sees Antilochus’ keen beard blazing, when he asks of every one present, "comrade, why does this endure into these times, that so grievous a crime was committed in so long an age?"

255

haec eadem Peleus, raptum cum luget Achillem,
atque alius, cui fas Ithacum lugere natantem.
incolumi Troia Priamus uenisset ad umbras
Assaraci magnis sollemnibus Hectore funus
portante ac reliquis fratrum ceruicibus inter

Peleus the same, when he laments Achilles snatched away,
and another, to whom it is right to mourn Ithacus swimming.
with Troy unharmed Priam would have come to the shades
Hector bearing the funeral of Assaracus with great solemn rites
and among the remaining necks of his brothers

260

Iliadum lacrimas, ut primos edere planctus
Cassandra inciperet scissaque Polyxena palla,
si foret extinctus diuerso tempore, quo non
coeperat audaces Paris aedificare carinas.
longa dies igitur quid contulit? omnia uidit

Iliads' tears, as if Cassandra would begin to give the first laments
and Polyxena with her robe rent,
had he been slain at a different time, at which Paris had not yet
begun to build his audacious keels.
What then did the long day bring? he saw all things

265

euersa et flammis Asiam ferroque cadentem.
tunc miles tremulus posita tulit arma tiara
et ruit ante aram summi Iouis ut uetulus bos,
qui domini cultris tenue et miserabile collum
praebet ab ingrato iam fastiditus aratro.

overturned, and Asia falling to flames and to the sword.
then the trembling soldier, with the tiara put aside, took up arms
and rushed before the altar of highest Jove like an old ox,
which, already wearied by its master's ungrateful plough, offers its thin and pitiable neck
to the master's knives, disgusted now with the plough.

270

exitus ille utcumque hominis, sed torua canino
latrauit rictu quae post hunc uixerat uxor.
festino ad nostros et regem transeo Ponti
et Croesum, quem uox iusti facunda Solonis
respicere ad longae iussit spatia ultima uitae.

That departure was, in any case, of a man; but she, with a grim canine gape,
barked — the wife who had lived after him.
I hasten to our men and pass to the king of Pontus
and to Croesus, whom the eloquent voice of just Solon
commanded to behold the last spans of his long life.

275

exilium et carcer Minturnarumque paludes
et mendicatus uicta Carthagine panis
hinc causas habuere; quid illo ciue tulisset
natura in terris, quid Roma beatius umquam,
si circumducto captiuorum agmine et omni

exile and prison and the marshes of Minturnae
and the bread begged in conquered Carthage
had their causes from this; what nature would have borne
in that citizen on earth, what would Rome ever more blessed be,
if, with the column of captives led about and all

280

bellorum pompa animam exhalasset opimam,
cum de Teutonico uellet descendere curru?
prouida Pompeio dederat Campania febres
optandas, sed multae urbes et publica uota
uicerunt; igitur Fortuna ipsius et urbis

the pomp of wars would have breathed forth its rich soul,
when he would wish to descend from his Teutonic chariot?
Provident Campania had given Pompey fevers
to be desired, but many cities and public vows
prevailed; therefore the Fortune of him and of the city

285

seruatum uicto caput abstulit. hoc cruciatu
Lentulus, hac poena caruit ceciditque Cethegus
integer et iacuit Catilina cadauere toto.
formam optat modico pueris, maiore puellis
murmure, cum Veneris fanum uidet, anxia mater

he carried off the head kept from the vanquished. By this crucifixion
Lentulus was deprived, by this penalty Cethegus perished;
and Catilina, whole, lay with his corpse entire.
The anxious mother, when she sees the shrine of Venus,
desires form — with a small murmur for the boys, a greater for the girls.

290

usque ad delicias uotorum. 'cur tamen' inquit
'corripias? pulchra gaudet Latona Diana.'
sed uetat optari faciem Lucretia qualem
ipsa habuit, cuperet Rutilae Verginia gibbum
accipere +atque suum+ Rutilae dare.

up to the delights of vows. 'why then,' she says,
'do you chide? the beautiful Diana, daughter of Latona, rejoices.'
but Lucretia forbids a face to be wished for such as
she herself had; that Virginia of Rutilia should desire to
receive a hump +and to give her own+ to Rutilia.

filius autem

but the son

295

corporis egregii miseros trepidosque parentes
semper habet: rara est adeo concordia formae
atque pudicitiae. sanctos licet horrida mores
tradiderit domus ac ueteres imitata Sabinos,
praeterea castum ingenium uoltumque modesto

of that outstanding body he always has miserable and trembling parents:
so rare is the concord of beauty
and chastity. Although the house, having imitated the ancient Sabines,
has handed down harsh morals and old customs, moreover a chaste nature and a modest countenance

300

sanguine feruentem tribuat natura benigna
larga manu (quid enim puero conferre potest plus
custode et cura natura potentior omni?),
non licet esse uiro; nam prodiga corruptoris
improbitas ipsos audet temptare parentes:

may kind Nature grant to the boy hot with blood
with a bounteous hand (what indeed can she bestow upon a boy more
than a guardian and care more potent than all nature?),
he may not be given to a man; for the prodigal wickedness
of the corrupter dares even to try the very parents:

305

tanta in muneribus fiducia. nullus ephebum
deformem saeua castrauit in arce tyrannus,
nec praetextatum rapuit Nero loripedem nec
strumosum atque utero pariter gibboque tumentem.
i nunc et iuuenis specie laetare tui, quem

so great a confidence in gifts. No cruel tyrant castrated a boy deformed in the stern citadel,
nor did Nero snatch away the praetextatus, the leather-clad, nor him scrofulous and swelling alike in belly and hump.
Go now, and, young man, rejoice in the beauty of your own, whom

310

maiora expectant discrimina. fiet adulter
publicus et poenas metuet quascumque mariti
+irati+ debet, nec erit felicior astro
Martis, ut in laqueos numquam incidat. exigit autem
interdum ille dolor plus quam lex ulla dolori

greater perils await. He will become a public adulterer
and will dread whatever punishments he owes to a +angry+ husband,
nor will he be more fortunate under the star
of Mars, so that he may never fall into snares. But that pain
sometimes demands of sorrow more than any law for sorrow

315

concessit: necat hic ferro, secat ille cruentis
uerberibus, quosdam moechos et mugilis intrat.
sed tuus Endymion dilectae fiet adulter
matronae. mox cum dederit Seruilia nummos
fiet et illius quam non amat, exuet omnem

he conceded: this one kills with iron, that one severs with bloody
lashes, he strikes some adulterers and a mugil (mullet) he assails.
but your Endymion will become the adulterer
of the beloved matron. soon when Servilia has given the coins
he will also become hers whom he does not love, he will strip off all

320

corporis ornatum; quid enim ulla negauerit udis
inguinibus, siue est haec Oppia siue Catulla?
deterior totos habet illic femina mores.
'sed casto quid forma nocet?' quid profuit immo
Hippolyto graue propositum, quid Bellerophonti?

the ornament of the body; for what would any woman have denied to moist
groins, whether she be this Oppia or Catulla?
there a woman altogether has worse morals.
"'but how does beauty harm the chaste?' what availed, indeed,
the stern purpose to Hippolytus, what to Bellerophon?

325

erubuit +nempe haec+ ceu fastidita repulso
nec Stheneboea minus quam Cressa excanduit, et se
concussere ambae. mulier saeuissima tunc est
cum stimulos odio pudor admouet. elige quidnam
suadendum esse putes cui nubere Caesaris uxor

she blushed — namely this one — as if disdainful at the repulse
and Stheneboea no less than Cressa grew hot with anger, and both
shook themselves. A woman is then most savage
when modesty, with hatred, applies the goads. Choose what, in truth,
you think should be urged for him to whom Caesar's wife is to be married

330

destinat. optimus hic et formonsissimus idem
gentis patriciae rapitur miser extinguendus
Messalinae oculis; dudum sedet illa parato
flammeolo Tyriusque palam genialis in hortis
sternitur et ritu decies centena dabuntur

he determines. This same best and most handsome scion of the patrician gens is snatched away, wretched, to be put out before Messalina’s eyes; long she sits with a little prepared flame, and the Tyrian nuptial robe openly is spread in the gardens, and by the rite ten times a hundred will be given.

335

antiquo, ueniet cum signatoribus auspex.
haec tu secreta et paucis commissa putabas?
non nisi legitime uolt nubere.

the ancient auspex will come with signatories.
did you think these things secret and committed to a few?
he wishes to marry only legitimately.

quid placeat dic.
ni parere uelis, pereundum erit ante lucernas;
si scelus admittas, dabitur mora paruula, dum res

tell what pleases.
if you are unwilling to obey, you must perish before the lamps;
if you commit the crime, a very small delay will be allowed, while the matter

340

nota urbi et populo contingat principis aurem.
dedecus ille domus sciet ultimus. interea tu
obsequere imperio, si tanti uita dierum
paucorum.

Let the report to the city and people reach the prince’s ear.
That disgrace the last man of the house will learn. Meanwhile you
obey the imperium, if the life of a few days is worth so much.

quidquid leuius meliusque putaris,
praebenda est gladio pulchra haec et candida ceruix.

Whatever you shall deem lighter and better,
this fair and white neck must be yielded to the sword.

345

nil ergo optabunt homines? si consilium uis,
permittes ipsis expendere numinibus quid
conueniat nobis rebusque sit utile nostris;
nam pro iucundis aptissima quaeque dabunt di.
carior est illis homo quam sibi. nos animorum

So will men then desire nothing? if you seek counsel,
you will allow the numina themselves to weigh out what
is fitting for us and what will be useful to our res;
for the gods will grant in place of delights the things most apt.
a man is dearer to them than to themselves. we of minds

350

inpulsu et caeca magnaque cupidine ducti
coniugium petimus partumque uxoris, at illis
notum qui pueri qualisque futura sit uxor.
ut tamen et poscas aliquid uoueasque sacellis
exta et candiduli diuina tomacula porci,

driven by impulse and led by great blind desire
we seek marriage and the offspring of a wife, yet to them
—who are boys—what sort of wife the future will be is known.
and yet that you might also ask or vow something in little shrines:
the entrails and the divine sausages of the white pig,

355

orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.
fortem posce animum mortis terrore carentem,
qui spatium uitae extremum inter munera ponat
naturae, qui ferre queat quoscumque labores,
nesciat irasci, cupiat nihil et potiores

one should pray that there be a mens sana in corpore sano.
demand a brave spirit free from the terror of death,
one who places the last span of life among nature’s gifts,
who can endure whatever labours,
who does not know how to be angry, desires nothing and prefers the better things

360

Herculis aerumnas credat saeuosque labores
et uenere et cenis et pluma Sardanapalli.
monstro quod ipse tibi possis dare; semita certe
tranquillae per uirtutem patet unica uitae.
nullum numen habes, si sit prudentia: nos te,

Let him trust in Hercules’ hardships and his savage labors
and in Venus and banquets and the feather of Sardanapallus.
I show what you yourself can give to yourself; certainly the single path
of a tranquil life lies open through virtue.
you have no divinity, if there be prudence: we, you,

365

nos facimus, Fortuna, deam caeloque locamus.

We make you, Fortune, a goddess, and place you in heaven.