Ovid: FASTI

Bellice, depositis clipeo paulisper et hasta,
     Mars, ades et nitidas casside solve comas.
forsitan ipse roges quid sit cum Marte poetae:
     a te qui canitur nomina mensis habet.
ipse vides manibus peragi fera bella Minervae:

Warlike one, with shield and spear set down for a little while,
     Mars, be present and loosen your shining hair from the helmet.
perhaps you yourself ask what a poet has to do with Mars:
     the month which is sung has its name from you.
you yourself see that savage wars are prosecuted by the hands of Minerva:

     num minus ingenuis artibus illa vacat?
Palladis exemplo ponendae tempora sume
     cuspidis: invenies et quod inermis agas.
tum quoque inermis eras, cum te Romana sacerdos
     cepit, ut huic urbi semina magna dares.

     is she any the less at leisure for the liberal arts?
By Pallas’s example take times for laying down
     the spear-point: you will also find something to do unarmed.
then too you were unarmed, when the Roman priestess
     took you, so that you might give great seed to this city.

Silvia Vestalis (quid enim vetat inde moveri?)
     sacra lavaturas mane petebat aquas.
ventum erat ad molli declivem tramite ripam;
     ponitur e summa fictilis urna coma:
fessa resedit humo, ventosque accepit aperto

Silvia the Vestal (for what, indeed, forbids moving from there?)
     in the morning was seeking the waters to wash the sacred things.
it had been come to a bank sloping down by a soft path;
     the earthen urn is set down from the crown of her hair:
weary she sat on the ground, and received the winds in the open

     pectore, turbatas restituitque comas.
dum sedet, umbrosae salices volucresque canorae
     fecerunt somnos et leve murmur aquae;
blanda quies furtim victis obrepsit ocellis,
     et cadit a mento languida facta manus.

     with her breast bared, she restored her disordered tresses.
while she sits, the shady willows and the tuneful birds
     brought on slumber, and the light murmur of the water;
soothing repose stealthily crept over her vanquished little eyes,
     and her hand, made languid, fell from her chin.

Mars videt hanc visamque cupit potiturque cupita,
     et sua divina furta fefellit ope.
somnus abit, iacet ipsa gravis; iam scilicet intra
     viscera Romanae conditor urbis erat.
languida consurgit, nec scit cur languida surgat,

Mars sees her, and, having seen, desires her, and possesses the desired,
     and with his own divine aid he masked his thefts.
sleep departs, she herself lies heavy; now of course within
     her womb the founder of the Roman city was.
languid she rises, nor does she know why she rises languid,

     et peragit tales arbore nixa sonos:
'utile sit faustumque, precor, quod imagine somni
     vidimus: an somno clarius illud erat?
ignibus Iliacis aderam, cum lapsa capillis
     decidit ante sacros lanea vitta focos.

     and she utters such sounds, leaning on a tree:
'May it be useful and auspicious, I pray, that which in the image of a dream
     we saw: or was that clearer than sleep?
I was present at the Ilian fires, when, having slipped from my hair,
     a woolen fillet fell down before the sacred hearths.

inde duae pariter, visu mirabile, palmae
     surgunt: ex illis altera maior erat,
et gravibus ramis totum protexerat orbem,
     contigeratque sua sidera summa coma.
ecce meus ferrum patruus molitur in illas:

then two palms together, marvelous to see,
     rise: of these one was the greater,
and with heavy branches had covered the whole orb,
     and with its topmost foliage had touched its own stars.
behold, my uncle plies the iron against them:

     terreor admonitu, corque timore micat.
Martia, picus, avis gemino pro stipite pugnant
     et lupa: tuta per hos utraque palma fuit.'
dixerat, et plenam non firmis viribus urnam
     sustulit: implerat, dum sua visa refert.

     I am terrified by the admonition, and my heart quivers with fear.
The bird of Mars, the woodpecker, fight for the twin stock
     and the she-wolf: through these each palm was safe.'
He had spoken, and with feeble strength he lifted the full urn
     he had filled it, while he was recounting his visions.

interea crescente Remo, crescente Quirino,
     caelesti tumidus pondere venter erat.
quo minus emeritis exiret cursibus annus
     restabant nitido iam duo signa deo:
Silvia fit mater; Vestae simulacra feruntur

meanwhile, with Remus growing, with Quirinus growing,
     the womb was swollen with a celestial weight.
before the year should go forth with its courses completed
     there already remained two signs for the shining god:
Silvia becomes a mother; the images of Vesta are carried

     virgineas oculis opposuisse manus.
ara deae certe tremuit pariente ministra,
     et subiit cineres territa flamma suos.
hoc ubi cognovit contemptor Amulius aequi
     (nam raptas fratri victor habebat opes),

     to have placed virginal hands before their eyes.
the altar of the goddess certainly trembled, while the ministering priestess was in labor,
     and the frightened flame went under its own ashes.
when Amulius, the contemner of equity, learned this
     (for as victor he held the wealth snatched from his brother),

amne iubet mergi geminos. scelus unda refugit:
     in sicca pueri destituuntur humo.
lacte quis infantes nescit crevisse ferino,
     et picum expositis saepe tulisse cibos?
non ego te, tantae nutrix Larentia gentis,

he orders the twins to be submerged in the river. the wave recoiled from the crime:
     on dry ground the boys are abandoned.
who does not know that the infants grew by feral milk,
     and that a woodpecker often brought food to the exposed ones?
i do not pass you over, Larentia, nurse of so great a nation,

     nec taceam vestras, Faustule pauper, opes:
vester honos veniet, cum Larentalia dicam:
     acceptus geniis illa December habet.
Martia ter senos proles adoleverat annos,
     et suberat flavae iam nova barba comae:

     nor will I be silent about your wealth, poor Faustulus;
your honor will come, when I speak of the Larentalia;
     December holds that festival acceptable to the Genii.
The Martial progeny had grown to thrice six years,
     and beneath the blond hair a new beard was already coming on:

omnibus agricolis armentorumque magistris
     Iliadae fratres iura petita dabant.
saepe domum veniunt praedonum sanguine laeti
     et redigunt actos in sua rura boves.
ut genus audierunt, animos pater editus auget,

to all farmers and to the masters of herds
     the Ilian brothers were granting the requested justice.
often they come home glad with the blood of robbers,
     and they drive back into their own fields the cattle that had been driven off.
when they heard their lineage, the father, having been revealed, increases their spirits,

     et pudet in paucis nomen habere casis,
Romuleoque cadit traiectus Amulius ense,
     regnaque longaevo restituuntur avo.
moenia conduntur, quae, quamvis parva fuerunt,
     non tamen expediit transiluisse Remo.

     and they are ashamed to have their name in a few huts,
Amulius falls, transfixed by the Romulean sword,
     and the realms are restored to the long-lived grandfather.
walls are founded, which, although they were small,
     nevertheless it was not expedient for Remus to have leapt across them.

iam, modo quae fuerant silvae pecorumque recessus,
     urbs erat, aeternae cum pater urbis ait:
'arbiter armorum, de cuius sanguine natus
     credor et, ut credar, pignora multa dabo,
a te principium Romano dicimus anno:

now, what just before had been forests and retreats of herds,
     was a city, when the father of the eternal city says:
'arbiter of arms, from whose blood I am born
     I am believed, and, that I may be believed, I will give many pledges,
from you we declare the beginning of the Roman year:'

     primus de patrio nomine mensis erit.'
vox rata fit, patrioque vocat de nomine mensem:
     dicitur haec pietas grata fuisse deo.
et tamen ante omnes Martem coluere priores;
     hoc dederat studiis bellica turba suis.

     'the first month will be from the paternal name.'
the word becomes ratified, and he calls the month from the paternal name:
     this piety is said to have been pleasing to the god.
and yet before all, the forefathers worshipped Mars;
     the bellicose throng had given this to their own pursuits.

Pallada Cecropidae, Minoia Creta Dianam,
     Volcanum tellus Hypsipylaea colit,
Iunonem Sparte Pelopeiadesque Mycenae,
     pinigerum Fauni Maenalis ora caput:
Mars Latio venerandus erat, quia praesidet armis;

Pallas the Cecropidae worship, Minoan Crete Diana,
     the Hypsipylean land worships Vulcan,
Sparta and Pelopid Mycenae Juno,
     the Maenalian border honors the pine-bearing head of Faunus:
Mars was to be venerated in Latium, because he presides over arms;

     arma ferae genti remque decusque dabant.
quod si forte vacas, peregrinos inspice fastos:
     mensis in his etiam nomine Martis erit.
tertius Albanis, quintus fuit ille Faliscis,
     sextus apud populos, Hernica terra, tuos;

     arms gave to the wild nation both its state and its honor.
but if by chance you have leisure, inspect the foreign calendars:
     a month among these too will be under the name of Mars.
the third for the Albans, the fifth was for the Faliscans,
     the sixth among your peoples, Hernican land, yours;

inter Aricinos Albanaque tempora constat
     factaque Telegoni moenia celsa manu;
quintum Laurentes, bis quintum Aequiculus acer,
     a tribus hunc primum turba Curensis habet;
et tibi cum proavis, miles Paeligne, Sabinis

between the Arician and Alban times it is agreed,
     and the lofty walls made by Telegonus’s hand;
the Laurentes [reckon it] the fifth, the keen Aequiculus the twice-fifth,
     the Curensian throng holds this as first among the tribes;
and for you, with your forefathers, Paelignian soldier, the Sabines

     convenit; huic genti quartus utrique deus.
Romulus, hos omnes ut vinceret ordine saltem,
     sanguinis auctori tempora prima dedit.
nec totidem veteres, quot nunc, habuere Kalendas:
     ille minor geminis mensibus annus erat.

     it fits; for this people the fourth god is for both.
Romulus, in order that he might outdo all these at least in sequence,
     gave the first times to the author of his blood.
nor did the ancients have as many Kalends as now:
     that year was smaller by twin months.

100

nondum tradiderat victas victoribus artes
     Graecia, facundum sed male forte genus:
qui bene pugnabat, Romanam noverat artem;
     mittere qui poterat pila, disertus erat.
quis tunc aut Hyadas aut Pliadas Atlanteas

Not yet had Greece handed down her conquered arts to the conquerors,
     Greece—an eloquent race, but ill-starred in fortune;
he who fought well knew the Roman art;
     he who could cast the javelins was eloquent.
who then either the Hyades or the Atlantean Pleiads

105

     senserat, aut geminos esse sub axe polos,
esse duas Arctos, quarum Cynosura petatur
     Sidoniis, Helicen Graia carina notet,
signaque quae longo frater percenseat anno,
     ire per haec uno mense sororis equos?

     had perceived, or that there are twin poles beneath the axis,
that there are two Arctos (Bears), of which Cynosura is sought
     by the Sidonians, Helice the Greek keel marks,
and the signs which the brother surveys through the long year,
     that through these in one month the sister’s horses go?

110

libera currebant et inobservata per annum
     sidera; constabat sed tamen esse deos.
non illi caelo labentia signa tenebant,
     sed sua, quae magnum perdere crimen erat,
illa quidem <e> feno, sed erat reverentia feno

the stars ran free and unobserved through the year
     the stars; yet it was agreed that there are gods.
they did not hold the gliding signs in the sky,
     but their own, which it was a great crime to lose,
those indeed from hay, yet there was reverence for hay

115

     quantam nunc aquilas cernis habere tuas.
pertica suspensos portabat longa maniplos,
     unde maniplaris nomina miles habet.
ergo animi indociles et adhuc ratione carentes
     mensibus egerunt lustra minora decem.

     as great as you now see your eagles to have.
a long pole carried maniples hung up,
     whence the manipular soldier has his name.
therefore, minds untaught and as yet lacking reason
     spent, in months, ten lesser years.

120

annus erat decimum cum luna receperat orbem:
     hic numerus magno tunc in honore fuit,
seu quia tot digiti, per quos numerare solemus,
     seu quia bis quinto femina mense parit,
seu quod adusque decem numero crescente venitur,

it was the tenth year when the moon had recovered her orb:
     this number was then in great honor,
whether because there are so many digits, by which we are accustomed to enumerate,
     or because in the twice-fifth month a woman bears,
or because, with the number increasing, one comes right up to ten,

125

     principium spatiis sumitur inde novis.
inde patres centum denos secrevit in orbes
     Romulus, hastatos instituitque decem,
et totidem princeps, totidem pilanus habebat
     corpora, legitimo quique merebat equo.

     from there a beginning is taken for new spaces.
from there Romulus separated the hundred fathers into circles of tens,
     and instituted ten Hastati,
and the Princeps had just as many, and the Pilanus had just as many bodies,
     and each man who served on a legitimate horse.

130

quin etiam partes totidem Titiensibus ille,
     quosque vocant Ramnes, Luceribusque dedit.
adsuetos igitur numeros servavit in anno;
     hoc luget spatio femina maesta virum.
neu dubites primae fuerint quin ante Kalendae

nay even he gave just as many parts to the Titienses,
     to those whom they call the Ramnes, and to the Luceres he gave them.
therefore he preserved the accustomed numbers in the year;
     for this span a sorrowful woman mourns her husband.
and do not doubt that the year’s first Kalends had been earlier.

135

     Martis, ad haec animum signa referre potes.
laurea flaminibus quae toto perstitit anno
     tollitur, et frondes sunt in honore novae;
ianua tum regis posita viret arbore Phoebi;
     ante tuas fit idem, Curia prisca, fores.

     Of Mars, to these signs you can refer your mind.
the laurel for the flamines, which has persisted through the whole year,
     is taken down, and new fronds are in honor;
then the door of the king grows green with the tree of Phoebus set in place;
     the same is done before your doors too, ancient Curia.

140

Vesta quoque ut folio niteat velata recenti,
     cedit ab Iliacis laurea cana focis.
adde quod arcana fieri novus ignis in aede
     dicitur, et vires flamma refecta capit.
nec mihi parva fides annos hinc isse priores

Vesta too, that she may shine veiled with a recent leaf,
     the hoary laurel withdraws from the Iliac hearths.
add that a new fire is said to be made in the arcane shrine,
     and the flame, refreshed, takes strength.
nor is there small credence for me that formerly the years went forth from here

145

     Anna quod hoc coepta est mense Perenna coli.
hinc etiam veteres initi memorantur honores
     ad spatium belli, perfide Poene, tui.
denique quintus ab hoc fuerat Quintilis, et inde
     incipit a numero nomina quisquis habet.

     that the cult of Anna Perenna was begun to be observed in this month.
hence also the ancient honors initiated are remembered
     for the span of your war, perfidious Punic.
and finally Quintilis had been fifth from this one, and thence
     whoever has names begins from the number.

150

primus, oliviferis Romam deductus ab arvis,
     Pompilius menses sensit abesse duos,
sive hoc a Samio doctus, qui posse renasci
     nos putat, Egeria sive monente sua.
sed tamen errabant etiam nunc tempora, donec

first, Pompilius, led to Rome from olive-bearing fields,
     perceived that two months were absent from the reckoning,
whether taught this by the Samian, who thinks that we can be reborn,
     or by his own Egeria advising him.
but nevertheless even now the times were erring, until

155

     Caesaris in multis haec quoque cura fuit.
non haec ille deus tantaeque propaginis auctor
     credidit officiis esse minora suis,
promissumque sibi voluit praenoscere caelum
     nec deus ignotas hospes inire domos.

     This too was among Caesar’s many cares.
not did that god, the author of so great a progeny,
     believe them to be lesser than his duties,
and he wished to know beforehand the heaven promised to himself
     nor did the god wish to enter unknown houses as a guest.

160

ille moras solis, quibus in sua signa rediret,
     traditur exactis disposuisse notis;
is decies senos ter centum et quinque diebus
     iunxit et a pleno tempora quinta die.
hic anni modus est: in lustrum accedere debet,

he, the delays of the sun, by which it would return into its own signs,
     is handed down to have arranged with exact notations;
he joined three hundred and sixty-five days,
     and set the times from the full moon on the fifth day.
this is the measure of the year: in a lustrum it ought to be added,

165

quae consummatur partibus, una dies.

which is consummated by parts, one day.

1. D : K : MAR : NP

1. Day : Kalends : March : N.P.

'Si licet occultos monitus audire deorum
vatibus, ut certe fama licere putat,
cum sis officiis, Gradive, virilibus aptus,
dic mihi matronae cur tua festa colant.'

'If it is permitted to hear the occult monitions of the gods
from prophets, as surely Fame thinks it is permitted,
since you are apt for virile offices, Gradivus,
tell me why matrons celebrate your feasts.'

170

sic ego. sic posita dixit mihi casside Mavors
     (sed tamen in dextra missilis hasta fuit):
'nunc primum studiis pacis deus utilis armis
     advocor, et gressus in nova castra fero.
nec piget incepti: iuvat hac quoque parte morari,

So I. Thus, with his helmet set aside, Mavors said to me
     (yet in his right hand there was a missile spear):
'now for the first time, a god useful to the pursuits of peace, I am summoned with arms
     and I bear my steps into new camp.
nor do I regret the undertaking: it delights me to linger on this side as well,

175

     hoc solam ne se posse Minerva putet.
disce, Latinorum vates operose dierum,
     quod petis, et memori pectore dicta nota.
parva fuit, si prima velis elementa referre,
     Roma, sed in parva spes tamen huius erat.

     so that Minerva may not think that she alone can do this.
learn, operose poet of the Latin days,
     what you seek, and with a mindful breast mark the words.
small she was, if you wish to recount the first elements,
     Rome; yet in the small one was the hope of this.

180

moenia iam stabant, populis angusta futuris,
     credita sed turbae tum nimis ampla suae.
quae fuerit nostri si quaeris regia nati,
     aspice de canna straminibusque domum.
in stipula placidi capiebat munera somni,

the walls already stood, narrow for the peoples to come,
     but then believed too ample for its own throng.
if you ask what was the royal palace of our offspring,
     look at a house of reed and straw.
on straw he took in the gifts of placid sleep,

185

     et tamen ex illo venit in astra toro.
iamque loco maius nomen Romanus habebat,
     nec coniunx illi nec socer ullus erat.
spernebant generos inopes vicinia dives,
     et male credebar sanguinis auctor ego.

     and yet from that couch he came to the stars.
and already the Roman had a name greater than the place,
     nor had he a wife nor any father-in-law.
the rich vicinity spurned poor sons-in-law,
     and I was ill believed as the author of his blood.

190

in stabulis habitasse et oves pavisse nocebat
     iugeraque inculti pauca tenere soli.
cum pare quaeque suo coeunt volucresque feraeque
     atque aliquam de qua procreet anguis habet.
extremis dantur conubia gentibus: at quae

it harmed him to have dwelt in stables and to have pastured sheep
     and to hold a few acres of uncultivated soil.
each mates with its own peer, both birds and wild beasts,
     and the serpent has some mate from whom he may procreate.
connubial unions are granted to the farthest nations: but she who

195

Romano vellet nubere nulla fuit.
indolui patriamque dedi tibi, Romule, mentem.
"tolle preces", dixi "quod petis arma dabunt."
festa parat Conso.

No woman was willing to marry a Roman.
I grieved and I gave you, Romulus, a patriotic mind.
"Put away prayers," I said, "what you seek arms will give."
Consus prepares the festival.

Consus tibi cetera dicet,
illa facta die dum sua sacra canet.

Consus will tell you the rest,
those deeds done on that day while he sings his own sacred rites.

200

intumuere Cures et quos dolor attigit idem:
     tum primum generis intulit arma socer.
iamque fere raptae matrum quoque nomen habebant,
     tractaque erant longa bella propinqua mora:
conveniunt nuptae dictam Iunonis in aedem,

The Cures were inflamed, and those whom the same pain had touched:
     then for the first time the father-in-law brought arms against his son-in-law.
and now the seized women almost already bore the name of mothers too,
     and long wars, close at hand, had been protracted by delay:
the brides assemble in the temple called of Juno,

205

     quas inter mea sic est nurus ausa loqui:
"o pariter raptae, quoniam hoc commune tenemus,
     non ultra lente possumus esse piae.
stant acies: sed utra di sint pro parte rogandi
     eligite; hinc coniunx, hinc pater arma tenet.

     among whom my daughter-in-law thus dared to speak:
"O equally abducted ones, since we hold this thing in common,
     we can no longer be slow to be pious.
the battle-lines stand: but choose which gods are to be asked for which side;
     on this side the husband, on this side the father holds arms."

210

quaerendum est viduae fieri malitis an orbae.
     consilium vobis forte piumque dabo."
consilium dederat: parent, crinesque resolvunt
     maestaque funerea corpora veste tegunt.
iam steterant acies ferro mortique paratae,

“one must ask whether you would prefer to become widows or childless.
     I will give you counsel, perhaps even pious.”
She had given the counsel: they obey, and they loosen their hair,
     and, mournful, cover their bodies with funereal garb.
already the battle-lines had stood, prepared for steel and for death,

215

     iam lituus pugnae signa daturus erat,
cum raptae veniunt inter patresque virosque,
     inque sinu natos, pignora cara, tenent.
ut medium campi scissis tetigere capillis,
     in terram posito procubuere genu;

     already the war-trumpet was about to give the signals for battle,
when the abducted women come among both fathers and husbands,
     and in their bosom they hold their children, dear pledges.
as, with hair torn, they reached the middle of the field,
     they sank to the ground with the knee set down;

220

et, quasi sentirent, blando clamore nepotes
     tendebant ad avos bracchia parva suos.
qui poterat, clamabat avum tum denique visum,
     et, qui vix poterat, posse coactus erat.
tela viris animique cadunt, gladiisque remotis

and, as if they sensed it, the grandchildren with a gentle clamor
     were stretching their little arms to their own grandfathers.
whoever could, was calling to the grandfather then at last seen,
     and he who scarcely could, was compelled to be able.
the weapons and the spirits fall from the men, and with the swords removed

225

     dant soceri generis accipiuntque manus,
laudatasque tenent natas, scutoque nepotem
     fert avus: hic scuti dulcior usus erat.
inde ~diem quae prima~ meas celebrare Kalendas
     Oebaliae matres non leve munus habent,

     the fathers-in-law give and the sons-in-law receive hands,
and they hold their lauded daughters, and on a shield the grandson
     the grandfather bears: here was a sweeter use of the shield.
thence ~the day which is first~ the Oebalian mothers have no light duty
     to celebrate my Kalends,

230

aut quia committi strictis mucronibus ausae
     finierant lacrimis Martia bella suis;
vel quod erat de me feliciter Ilia mater
     rite colunt matres sacra diemque meum.
quid quod hiems adoperta gelu tum denique cedit,

or because, having dared to have battle joined with drawn blade-points,
     they finished the Martial wars with their own tears;
or because Ilia as a mother was happily from me,
     mothers duly celebrate the sacra and my day.
what of the fact that winter, covered with frost, then at last yields,

235

     et pereunt lapsae sole tepente nives;
arboribus redeunt detonsae frigore frondes,
     uvidaque in tenero palmite gemma tumet;
quaeque diu latuit, nunc, se qua tollat in auras,
     fertilis occultas invenit herba vias?

     and the snows, having slipped away, perish as the sun grows warm;
the leaves, shorn by the cold, return to the trees,
     and the moist bud swells on the tender vine-shoot;
and what has long lain hidden, now, by what way it may lift itself into the airs,
     does the fertile herb find occult ways?

240

nunc fecundus ager, pecoris nunc hora creandi,
     nunc avis in ramo tecta laremque parat.
tempora iure colunt Latiae fecunda parentes,
     quarum militiam votaque partus habet.
adde quod, excubias ubi rex Romanus agebat,

now the field is fecund, now the hour of begetting for the herd,
     now the bird on the branch prepares a shelter and a Lar (household shrine).
the Latian parents rightly observe the fruitful seasons,
     whose childbirth has its warfare and its vows.
add, too, that, when the Roman king was keeping sentry-watches,

245

     qui nunc Esquilias nomina collis habet,
illic a nuribus Iunoni templa Latinis
     hac sunt, si memini, publica facta die.
quid moror et variis onero tua pectora causis?
     eminet ante oculos quod petis ecce tuos.

     which hill now bears the name Esquiline,
there by the Latin daughters-in-law temples to Juno
     on this day, if I remember, were made public.
why do I delay and burden your breast with various causes?
     lo, what you seek stands out before your eyes.

250

mater amat nuptas: matris me turba frequentat.
     haec nos praecipue tam pia causa decet.'
ferte deae flores: gaudet florentibus herbis
     haec dea; de tenero cingite flore caput:
dicite 'tu nobis lucem, Lucina, dedisti':

The Mother loves brides: the crowd of mothers frequents me.
     this most of all, so pious a cause, befits us.'
bring the goddess flowers: this goddess rejoices in blooming herbs;
     with tender blossom encircle her head:
say 'you have given us the light, Lucina':

255

     dicite 'tu voto parturientis ades.'
siqua tamen gravida est, resoluto crine precetur
     ut solvat partus molliter illa suos.
Quis mihi nunc dicet quare caelestia Martis
     arma ferant Salii Mamuriumque canant?

     say 'you, be present to the vow of the parturient.'
if any woman is nevertheless pregnant, with hair loosened let her pray
     that she may loosen her own deliveries gently.
Who will now tell me why the Salii bear the celestial arms of Mars
     and sing of Mamurius?

260

nympha, mone, nemori stagnoque operata Dianae;
     nympha, Numae coniunx, ad tua facta veni.
vallis Aricinae silva praecinctus opaca
     est lacus, antiqua religione sacer;
hic latet Hippolytus loris direptus equorum,

nymph, advise, having ministered to Diana in grove and pool;
     nymph, spouse of Numa, come to your deeds.
the lake of the Arician valley is girdled by a shady forest,
     sacred by ancient religion;
here lies hidden Hippolytus, torn apart by the reins of horses,

265

     unde nemus nullis illud aditur equis.
licia dependent longas velantia saepes,
     et posita est meritae multa tabella deae.
saepe potens voti, frontem redimita coronis,
     femina lucentes portat ab Urbe faces.

     whence that grove is approached by no horses.
threads hang down, veiling the long hedges,
     and many a tablet is set up for the deserving goddess.
often, potent in her vow, her brow wreathed with coronals,
     a woman carries shining torches from the City.

270

regna tenent fortes manibus pedibusque fugaces,
     et perit exemplo postmodo quisque suo.
defluit incerto lapidosus murmure rivus:
     saepe, sed exiguis haustibus, inde bibi.
Egeria est quae praebet aquas, dea grata Camenis:

the brave hold kingdoms; the flighty flee with hands and feet,
     and afterward each one perishes by his own example.
a stony brook flows with an uncertain murmur:
     often, but with scant draughts, I drank from there.
it is Egeria who provides the waters, a goddess pleasing to the Camenae:

275

     illa Numae coniunx consiliumque fuit.
principio nimium promptos ad bella Quirites
     molliri placuit iure deumque metu.
inde datae leges, ne firmior omnia posset,
     coeptaque sunt pure tradita sacra coli.

     she was Numa’s consort and counsel.
At the beginning it pleased that the Quirites, too prompt for wars,
     be mollified by law and by fear of the gods.
then laws were given, lest the stronger might be able to do all things,
     and the sacred rites handed down began to be cultivated purely.

280

exuitur feritas, armisque potentius aequum est,
     et cum cive pudet conseruisse manus,
atque aliquis, modo trux, visa iam vertitur ara
     vinaque dat tepidis farraque salsa focis.
ecce deum genitor rutilas per nubila flammas

ferocity is shed, and equity is more potent than arms,
     and one is ashamed to have joined hands with a fellow citizen,
and someone, just now truculent, at the sight of the altar is already turned,
     and gives wines and salted meal to the tepid hearths.
behold, the begetter of the gods sends ruddy flames through the clouds

285

     spargit, et effusis aethera siccat aquis.
non alias missi cecidere frequentius ignes:
     rex pavet et volgi pectora terror habet.
cui dea 'ne nimium terrere: piabile fulmen
     est' ait 'et saevi flectitur ira Iovis.

     he scatters them, and with the outpoured waters he dries the upper air.
at no other time have the lightnings sent fallen more frequently:
     the king quakes, and terror holds the hearts of the common crowd.
to whom the goddess: 'do not be too greatly afraid: the thunderbolt is expiable'
     'it is,' she says, 'and the wrath of savage Jove is softened.'

290

sed poterunt ritum Picus Faunusque piandi
     tradere, Romani numen utrumque soli.
nec sine vi tradent: adhibe tu vincula captis';
     atque ita qua possint edidit arte capi.
lucus Aventino suberat niger ilicis umbra,

but Picus and Faunus will be able to hand down the rite of propitiating,
     both numina being of the Roman soil alone.
nor will they hand it down without force: apply bonds to the captured';
     and thus she set forth by what art they might be taken.
a grove lay on the Aventine beneath the black shade of the holm-oak,

295

     quo posses viso dicere 'numen inest'.
in medio gramen, muscoque adoperta virenti
     manabat saxo vena perennis aquae;
inde fere soli Faunus Picusque bibebant:
     huc venit et fonti rex Numa mactat ovem,

     at the sight of which you could say, 'numen is within'.
in the middle, there was grass, and, covered with green moss,
     from the rock a perennial vein of water was flowing;
thence for the most part Faunus and Picus alone used to drink:
     hither came King Numa, and to the spring he sacrificed a sheep,

300

plenaque odorati disponit pocula Bacchi,
     cumque suis antro conditus ipse latet.
ad solitos veniunt silvestria numina fontes
     et relevant multo pectora sicca mero.
vina quies sequitur: gelido Numa prodit ab antro

and he arranges brimming cups of fragrant Bacchus,
     and, shut in with his own, he himself lies hidden in the cave.
to their accustomed springs the woodland numina come
     and with much unmixed wine they relieve their dry breasts.
rest follows the wines: from the icy cave Numa comes forth

305

     vinclaque sopitas addit in arta manus.
somnus ut abscessit, pugnando vincula temptant
     rumpere; pugnantes fortius illa tenent.
tum Numa: 'di nemorum, factis ignoscite nostris
     si scelus ingenio scitis abesse meo,

     and he adds bonds to the slumbering hands in tight constraint.
as sleep departed, by struggling they attempt to rupture the bonds
     to break; the more they fight, the more strongly those hold.
then Numa: 'gods of the groves, forgive our deeds
     if you know crime to be absent from my nature,

310

quoque modo possit fulmen monstrate piari.'
     sic Numa; sic quatiens cornua Faunus ait:
'magna petis, nec quae monitu tibi discere nostro
     fas sit: habent fines numina nostra suos.
di sumus agrestes et qui dominemur in altis

‘and also show in what way a thunderbolt can be expiated.’
     thus Numa; thus Faunus, shaking his horns, says:
‘you seek great things, nor is it permitted by divine law for you to learn them
     by our monition: our divinities have their own bounds.
we are rustic gods and we who hold dominion in the heights

315

     montibus; arbitrium est in sua tecta Iovi.
hunc tu non poteris per te deducere caelo,
     at poteris nostra forsitan usus ope.'
dixerat haec Faunus; par est sententia Pici.
     'deme tamen nobis vincula', Picus ait,

     in the mountains; the arbitration is Jove’s in his own dwelling.
you will not be able by yourself to draw him down from heaven,
     but perhaps you will be able, by using our aid.'
Faunus had said these things; equal is the opinion of Picus.
     'Nevertheless, remove the bonds from us,' says Picus,

320

'Iuppiter huc veniet, valida perductus ab arte:
     nubila promissi Styx mihi testis erit.'
emissi laqueis quid agant, quae carmina dicant,
     quaque trahant superis sedibus arte Iovem
scire nefas homini. nobis concessa canentur

'Jupiter will come here, conducted by potent art:
     the clouds and the Styx shall be witness of my promise.'
once released from the snares, what they do, what incantations they say,
     and by what art they draw Jupiter from the heavenly seats
it is forbidden for a human to know. what has been conceded to us will be sung

325

     quaeque pio dici vatis ab ore licet.
eliciunt caelo te, Iuppiter; unde minores
     nunc quoque te celebrant Eliciumque vocant.
constat Aventinae tremuisse cacumina silvae,
     terraque subsedit pondere pressa Iovis:

     and what it is permitted to be said from the pious mouth of the vates.
they draw you out from the sky, Jupiter; whence the later ones
     even now celebrate you and call you Elicius.
it is agreed that the summits of the Aventine forest trembled,
     and the earth subsided, pressed by the weight of Jove:

330

corda micant regis totoque e corpore sanguis
     fugit et hirsutae deriguere comae.
ut rediit animus, 'da certa piamina' dixit
     'fulminis, altorum rexque paterque deum,
si tua contigimus manibus donaria puris,

the king’s heart quivers, and from his whole body the blood
     flees, and his hirsute locks have stiffened.
when his spirit returned, he said, ‘grant sure expiations
     for the thunderbolt, O king and father of the lofty gods,
if we have touched your votive gifts with pure hands,’

335

     hoc quoque quod petitur si pia lingua rogat.'
adnuit oranti, sed verum ambage remota
     abdidit et dubio terruit ore virum.
'caede caput' dixit; cui rex 'parebimus' inquit;
     'caedenda est hortis eruta cepa meis.'

     “this also which is sought, if a pious tongue asks.”
He nodded to the one praying, but the truth, with circumlocution removed,
     he hid, and with a doubtful mouth he terrified the man.
“Strike off the head,” he said; to which the king said, “We shall obey;
     an onion, dug up from my gardens, must be cut.”

340

addidit hic 'hominis'; 'sumes' ait ille 'capillos.'
     postulat hic animam; cui Numa 'piscis' ait.
risit, et 'his' inquit 'facito mea tela procures,
     o vir conloquio non abigende deum.
sed tibi, protulerit cum totum crastinus orbem

he added 'of a man'; 'you will take,' said the other, 'hairs.'
     he demands a soul; to whom Numa says 'of a fish.'
he laughed, and said, 'with these see that you procure my weapons,
     o man not driving a god away from colloquy.
but for you, when the morrow shall have brought forth its whole orb

345

     Cynthius, imperii pignora certa dabo.'
dixit et ingenti tonitru super aethera motum
     fertur, adorantem destituitque Numam.
ille redit laetus memoratque Quiritibus acta:
     tarda venit dictis difficilisque fides.

     The Cynthian: 'I will give sure pledges of sovereignty.'
He spoke, and with vast thunder he is borne above the aether,
     and he abandons Numa as he worships.
He returns joyful and recounts to the Quirites the acts;
     slow came credence to his words, and belief was difficult.

350

'at certe credemur' ait 'si verba sequetur
     exitus: en audi crastina, quisquis ades.
protulerit terris cum totum Cynthius orbem,
     Iuppiter imperii pignora certa dabit.'
discedunt dubii, promissaque tarda videntur,

'but surely we shall be believed,' he says, 'if the outcome follows the words: lo, hear tomorrow, whoever is present.
When Cynthius shall have brought forth the whole orb to the lands,
Jupiter will give sure pledges of empire.'
They depart doubtful, and the promises seem slow,

355

     dependetque fides a veniente die.
mollis erat tellus rorata mane pruina:
     ante sui populus limina regis adest.
prodit et in solio medius consedit acerno;
     innumeri circa stantque silentque viri.

     and faith depends on the coming day.
the earth was soft, bedewed in the morning with hoarfrost:
     before their king’s thresholds the people is present.
he comes forth and in the midst took his seat on a maple throne;
     innumerable men stand around and are silent.

360

ortus erat summo tantummodo margine Phoebus:
     sollicitae mentes speque metuque pavent.
constitit atque caput niveo velatus amictu
     iam bene dis notas sustulit ille manus,
atque ita 'tempus adest promissi muneris' inquit;

Phoebus had risen only at the utmost margin:
     the anxious minds quake with hope and with fear.
he halted and, his head veiled with a snowy mantle,
     now he raised those hands well known to the gods,
and thus he says, 'the time is at hand for the promised gift';

365

     'pollicitam dictis, Iuppiter, adde fidem.'
dum loquitur, totum iam sol emoverat orbem,
     et gravis aetherio venit ab axe fragor.
ter tonuit sine nube deus, tria fulgura misit.
     credite dicenti: mira sed acta loquor:

     'Jupiter, add faith to the promised words.'
while he is speaking, already the Sun had moved out his whole orb,
     and a heavy crash came from the aetherial axis.
thrice the god thundered without a cloud, three lightnings he sent.
     believe the one speaking: I speak of marvels, yet of deeds done:

370

a media caelum regione dehiscere coepit:
     summisere oculos cum duce turba suo.
ecce levi scutum versatum leniter aura
     decidit: a populo clamor ad astra venit.
tollit humo munus caesa prius ille iuvenca

from its middle region the sky began to gape open:
     the throng, with their leader, lowered their eyes.
look— a shield, turned gently by a light breeze,
     fell: a shout from the people rose to the stars.
he lifts from the ground the offering, a heifer first felled

375

     quae dederat nulli colla premenda iugo,
idque ancile vocat, quod ab omni parte recisum est,
     quaque notes oculis angulus omnis abest.
tum, memor imperii sortem consistere in illo,
     consilium multae calliditatis init:

     which had given its neck to be pressed by no yoke,
and he calls it the ancile, because it is cut off on every side,
     and in which, as you may note with your eyes, every angle is absent.
then, mindful that the lot of the empire stands in that,
     he enters upon a counsel of much cunning:

380

plura iubet fieri simili caelata figura,
     error ut ante oculos insidiantis eat.
Mamurius, morum fabraene exactior artis
     difficile est, illud, dicere, clausit opus.
cui Numa munificus 'facti pete praemia' dixit:

he orders more to be made, caelated with a similar figure,
     so that error may go before the eyes of the ambusher.
Mamurius—whether more exact in morals or in the craftsman’s art
     it is difficult, that, to say—closed the work.
to whom munificent Numa said, ‘Seek the rewards of the deed’:

385

     'si mea nota fides, inrita nulla petes.'
iam dederat Saliis a saltu nomina ducta
     armaque et ad certos verba canenda modos;
tum sic Mamurius: 'merces mihi gloria detur,
     nominaque extremo carmine nostra sonent.'

     'if my noted good faith holds, you will ask for nothing in vain.'
already he had given to the Salii names drawn from a leap
     and arms, and words to be sung to fixed modes;
then thus Mamurius: 'let glory be given me as the fee,
     and let our names resound in the final song.'

390

inde sacerdotes operi promissa vetusto
     praemia persolvunt Mamuriumque vocant.
Nubere siqua voles, quamvis properabitis ambo,
     differ; habent parvae commoda magna morae.
arma movent pugnas, pugna est aliena maritis;

thence the priests pay in full the rewards promised for the ancient work,
     and they call Mamurius.
If you wish that some woman marry, although you both will hasten,
     defer; little delays have great advantages.
arms set battles in motion; battle is alien to husbands;

395

condita cum fuerint, aptius omen erit.
His etiam coniunx apicati cincta Dialis
lucibus impexas debet habere comas.

when they have been put away, the omen will be more apt.
Even the consort of the apex-bearing Dialis, girt,
on these days ought to have uncombed locks.

(2. E F) 3. F C (4. G C)

Tertia nox de mense suos ubi moverit ortus
conditus e geminis Piscibus alter erit.
nam duo sunt: Austris hic est, Aquilonibus ille
proximus; a vento nomen uterque tenet.

When the third night of the month has set its own risings in motion,
one from the twin Fishes will be hidden.
for they are two: this one is nearest to the South Winds, that one to the North Winds;
each holds his name from the wind.

5. H C

Cum croceis rorare genis Tithonia coniunx
coeperit et quintae tempora lucis aget,
sive est Arctophylax, sive est piger ille Bootes,

When Tithonus’s consort with saffron cheeks begins to bedew
and conducts the times of the fifth light,
whether it is Arctophylax, or whether it is that sluggish Bootes,

405

     mergetur visus effugietque tuos.
at non effugiet Vindemitor: hoc quoque causam
     unde trahat sidus parva docere mora est.
Ampelon intonsum satyro nymphaque creatum
     fertur in Ismariis Bacchus amasse iugis.

     it will be plunged from view and will escape your eyes.
but the Vindemitor will not escape: for this too, the cause
     whence the constellation draws [its name], it is a small delay to teach.
Ampelus, unshorn, begotten of a satyr and a nymph,
     Bacchus is said to have loved on the Ismarian ridges.

410

tradidit huic vitem pendentem frondibus ulmi,
quae nunc de pueri nomine nomen habet.
dum legit in ramo pictas temerarius uvas,
decidit: amissum Liber in astra tulit.

He entrusted to him a vine hanging in the foliage of an elm,
which now has its name from the boy’s name.
while, rash, he was picking the painted grapes on a branch,
he fell: Liber carried the lost one to the stars.

6. A NP

Sextus ubi Oceano clivosum scandit Olympum
     Phoebus et alatis aethera carpit equis,
quisquis ades castaeque colis penetralia Vestae,
     gratare, Iliacis turaque pone focis.
Caesaris innumeris, quos maluit ille mereri,
     accessit titulis pontificalis honor.

When at the sixth hour Phoebus climbs the sloping Olympus from Ocean,
     and with winged horses skims the aether,
whoever is present and who tend the penetralia of chaste Vesta,
     offer congratulations, and place incense on the Iliac hearths.
To Caesar’s innumerable titles, which he preferred to earn,
     there has been added the pontifical honor.

420

ignibus aeternis aeterni numina praesunt
     Caesaris: imperii pignora iuncta vides.
di veteris Troiae, dignissima praeda ferenti,
     qua gravis Aeneas tutus ab hoste fuit,
ortus ab Aenea tangit cognata sacerdos

over the eternal fires the eternal numina preside
     of Caesar: you see the pledges of empire joined.
gods of ancient Troy, a most worthy spoil to the bearer,
     by which grave Aeneas was safe from the enemy,
sprung from Aeneas, a cognate priestess touches them

425

numina: cognatum, Vesta, tuere caput.
quos sancta fovet ille manu, bene vivitis, ignes:
vivite inexstincti, flammaque duxque, precor.

numina: Vesta, protect the kindred head.
you fires whom that one fosters with a sacred hand, you live well:
live inextinct, both flame and leader, I pray.

7. B NON : F

7. B NONES : F

Una nota est Marti Nonis, sacrata quod illis
     templa putant lucos Veiovis ante duos.
Romulus, ut saxo lucum circumdedit alto,
     'quilibet huc' inquit 'confuge; tutus eris.'
o quam de tenui Romanus origine crevit,
     turba vetus quam non invidiosa fuit!
ne tamen ignaro novitas tibi nominis obstet,

One note is for Mars on the Nones, because they think that on those days
     temples were consecrated before the two groves of Veiovis.
When Romulus enclosed the grove with a high stone,
     he said, ‘let anyone flee here; you will be safe.’
O how from a tenuous origin the Roman grew,
     how the ancient crowd was not envious!
But lest the novelty of the name be an obstacle to you, being unaware,

435

     disce quis iste deus, curve vocetur ita.
Iuppiter est iuvenis: iuvenales aspice voltus;
     aspice deinde manum: fulmina nulla tenet.
fulmina post ausos caelum adfectare Gigantas
     sumpta Iovi: primo tempore inermis erat;

     learn who that god is, and why he is called thus.
Jupiter is a youth: look at the juvenile features;
     look then at the hand: he holds no thunderbolts.
the thunderbolts, after the Giants dared to aim at the sky
     were assumed by Jove: at first he was unarmed;

440

ignibus Ossa novis et Pelion altius Ossa
     arsit et in solida fixus Olympus humo.
stat quoque capra simul: nymphae pavisse feruntur
     Cretides, infanti lac dedit illa Iovi.
nunc vocor ad nomen: vegrandia farra coloni

with new fires Ossa and Pelion, higher than Ossa,
     burned, and Olympus was fastened in solid earth.
A she-goat also stands at the same time: the nymphs of Crete are said to have pastured her;
     she gave milk to infant Jove.
now I am called to the name: the meager spelt of the farmer

445

     quae male creverunt, vescaque parva vocant;
vis ea si verbi est, cur non ego Veiovis aedem
     aedem non magni suspicer esse Iovis?
Iamque ubi caeruleum variabunt sidera caelum,
     suspice: Gorgonei colla videbis equi.

     which have grown poorly, and they call the small things meagre;
if that is the force of the word, why should I not suspect the temple of Veiovis
     to be the temple of not-great Jove?
And now, when the stars will variegate the cerulean heaven,
     look up: you will see the necks of the Gorgonean horse.

450

creditur hic caesae gravida cervice Medusae
     sanguine respersis prosiluisse iubis.
huic supra nubes et subter sidera lapso
     caelum pro terra, pro pede pinna fuit;
iamque indignanti nova frena receperat ore

it is believed that here, from the pregnant neck of Medusa, slain,
     with his manes aspersed with blood, he leapt forth.
for him, as he slipped above the clouds and beneath the stars,
     the sky was in place of earth, and a pinion in place of foot;
and now, with an indignant mouth, he had received new reins

455

cum levis Aonias ungula fodit aquas.
nunc fruitur caelo, quod pinnis ante petebat,
et nitidus stellis quinque decemque micat.

when his light hoof dug the Aonian waters.
now he enjoys the sky, which he had before sought with wings,
and, bright, he gleams with fifteen stars.

8. CF

Protinus aspicies venienti nocte Coronam
     Cnosida: Theseo crimine facta dea est.
iam bene periuro mutarat coniuge Bacchum
     quae dedit ingrato fila legenda viro;
sorte tori gaudens 'quid flebam rustica?' dixit;
     'utiliter nobis perfidus ille fuit.'
interea Liber depexos crinibus Indos

Straightway you will behold, as night comes on, the Cnossian Crown
     the Cnossian: by Theseus’s crime she was made a goddess.
now to good effect she had exchanged her perjured spouse for Bacchus
     she who gave to the ungrateful man the thread to be followed;
rejoicing in the lot of the couch, ‘why was I weeping, rustic?’ she said;
     ‘that treacherous man was useful to me.’
meanwhile Liber, the Indians with their hair combed

465

     vicit, et Eoo dives ab orbe redit.
inter captivas facie praestante puellas
     grata nimis Baccho filia regis erat.
flebat amans coniunx, spatiataque litore curvo
     edidit incultis talia verba comis:

     he conquered, and rich from the Eoan orb he returns.
among the captive girls, preeminent in beauty,
     the king’s daughter was far too pleasing to Bacchus.
his loving consort wept, and, having walked along the curving shore,
     she uttered such words with unkempt tresses:

470

'en iterum, fluctus, similes audite querellas.
en iterum lacrimas accipe, harena, meas.
dicebam, memini, "periure et perfide Theseu!"
ille abiit, eadem crimina Bacchus habet.

'Lo again, waves, hear similar complaints.
Lo again, receive my tears, O sand.
I was saying, I remember, "perjured and perfidious Theseus!"
he has gone away; Bacchus bears the same charges.

nunc quoque "nulla viro" clamabo "femina credat";

now too I will cry out "let no woman believe a man";

475

     nomine mutato causa relata mea est.
o utinam mea sors qua primum coeperat isset,
     iamque ego praesenti tempore nulla forem.
quid me desertis morituram, Liber, harenis
     servabas?

     with the name changed, the cause related is mine.
O would that my lot had gone where it first began,
     and by now I would be nothing at the present time.
why did you, Liber, keep me, doomed to die, for deserted sands,
     to preserve me?

potui dedoluisse semel.

I could have grieved it out once.

480

Bacche levis leviorque tuis, quae tempora cingunt,
     frondibus, in lacrimas cognite Bacche meas,
ausus es ante oculos adducta paelice nostros
     tam bene compositum sollicitare torum?
heu ubi pacta fides? ubi quae iurare solebas?

Bacchus, light and lighter than your fronds which gird your temples,
     known, Bacchus, in my tears,
have you dared before our eyes, with a concubine brought in,
     to trouble a bed so well composed?
alas, where is the pledged faith? where what you were wont to swear?

485

     me miseram, quotiens haec ego verba loquar?
Thesea culpabas fallacemque ipse vocabas:
     iudicio peccas turpius ipse tuo.
ne sciat haec quisquam tacitisque doloribus urar,
     ne totiens falli digna fuisse puter.

     wretched me, how often shall I speak these words?
You used to blame Theseus and yourself called him fallacious:
     by your own judgment you yourself sin more shamefully.
let no one know these things, and let me burn with tacit griefs,
     lest I be thought to have been worthy to be deceived so often.

490

praecipue cupiam celari Thesea, ne te
consortem culpae gaudeat esse suae.
at, puto, praeposita est fuscae mihi candida paelex!
eveniat nostris hostibus ille color.

I would especially wish to be hidden from Theseus, lest he
rejoice that you are his consort in guilt.
but, I suppose, a fair rival-mistress has been preferred to dusky me!
may that color befall our enemies.

quid tamen hoc refert? vitio tibi gratior ipso est.

but what does this matter? by the very defect she is more pleasing to you.

495

quid facis? amplexus inquinat illa tuos.
Bacche, fidem praesta, nec praefer amoribus ullam
coniugis: adsuevi semper amare virum.

what are you doing? that woman defiles your embraces.
Bacchus, keep faith, and prefer none before the loves
of your wife: I have been accustomed always to love my husband.

ceperunt matrem formosi cornua tauri,
me tua; at hic laudi est, ille pudendus amor.

the horns of the handsome bull seized my mother,
me, yours; but this love is for praise, that one shameful.

500

ne noceat quod amo: neque enim tibi, Bacche, nocebat
     quod flammas nobis fassus es ipse tuas.
nec, quod nos uris, mirum facis: ortus in igne
     diceris, et patria raptus ab igne manu.
illa ego sum cui tu solitus promittere caelum.

let not what I love harm me: for neither did it harm you, Bacchus,
     that you yourself confessed your flames to us.
nor, because you burn us, do you do anything strange: born in fire
     you are said to have been, and snatched by your father’s hand from the fire.
I am she to whom you were wont to promise heaven.

505

     ei mihi, pro caelo qualia dona fero!'
dixerat; audibat iamdudum verba querentis
     Liber, ut a tergo forte secutus erat.
occupat amplexu lacrimasque per oscula siccat,
     et 'pariter caeli summa petamus' ait:

     ‘Alas for me, what gifts I bear in place of heaven!’
she had spoken; Liber had for some time been hearing the words of the lamenting one,
     as by chance he had followed from behind.
he seizes her in an embrace and dries her tears with kisses,
     and says, ‘Let us together seek the heights of heaven:’

510

'tu mihi iuncta toro mihi iuncta vocabula sumes,
     nam tibi mutatae Libera nomen erit,
sintque tuae tecum faciam monimenta coronae,
     Volcanus Veneri quam dedit, illa tibi.'
dicta facit, gemmasque novem transformat in ignes:

'you, joined to my bed, will take names joined to me,
     for to you, once changed, Libera will be the name,
and I will make memorials of your crown together with you,
     the one which Vulcan gave to Venus—that one, to you.'
he does what he said, and transforms the nine gems into fires:

515

aurea per stellas nunc micat illa novem.

now that golden crown glitters among the stars as nine.

(9. DC) (10. EC) (11. FC)
(12. GC) (13. H EN) 14. A EQVIRR : NP

Sex ubi sustulerit, totidem demerserit orbes
purpureum rapido qui vehit axe diem,
altera gramineo spectabis Equirria Campo,
quem Tiberis curvis in latus urget aquis;

When he has lifted six orbs, and has sunk as many,
he who carries the purpurean day on a rapid axle,
on the next day you will behold the Equirria on the grassy Field,
which the Tiber urges on its side with curving waters;

520

qui tamen eiecta si forte tenebitur unda,
Caelius accipiat pulverulentus equos.

which, however, if by chance it will be held by the ejected wave,
let dusty Caelius receive the horses.

15. B EID : NP

15. B IDES : PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Idibus est Annae festum geniale Perennae
non procul a ripis, advena Thybri, tuis.
plebs venit ac virides passim disiecta per herbas

On the Ides is the genial festival of Anna Perenna
not far from your banks, newcomer to the Tiber, your own.
the plebs comes, and, scattered everywhere, upon the green grasses

525

     potat, et accumbit cum pare quisque sua.
sub Iove pars durat, pauci tentoria ponunt,
     sunt quibus e ramis frondea facta casa est;
pars, ubi pro rigidis calamos statuere columnis,
     desuper extentas imposuere togas.

     one drinks, and each reclines with his own mate.
some endure under Jove, a few pitch tents,
     there are those for whom a leafy hut has been made from branches;
some, where in place of rigid columns they have set up reeds as columns,
     have laid stretched-out togas over the top.

530

sole tamen vinoque calent annosque precantur
     quot sumant cyathos, ad numerumque bibunt.
invenies illic qui Nestoris ebibat annos,
     quae sit per calices facta Sibylla suos.
illic et cantant quicquid didicere theatris,

by the sun, however, and by wine they grow warm, and they pray for as many years
     as they take cups, and they drink to the number.
you will find there someone who would drink down Nestor’s years,
     and a woman who has been made a Sibyl through her own chalices.
there too they sing whatever they learned at the theatres,

535

     et iactant faciles ad sua verba manus,
et ducunt posito duras cratere choreas,
     cultaque diffusis saltat amica comis.
cum redeunt, titubant et sunt spectacula volgi,
     et fortunatos obvia turba vocat.

     and they toss their ready hands to their own words,
and with the krater set aside they lead strenuous dances,
     and the well-groomed mistress dances with hair let loose.
when they return, they stagger and are a spectacle for the crowd,
     and the passing throng calls them fortunate.

540

occurrit nuper (visa est mihi digna relatu)
     pompa: senem potum pota trahebat anus.
quae tamen haec dea sit quoniam rumoribus errat,
     fabula proposito nulla tegenda meo.
arserat Aeneae Dido miserabilis igne,

There met me recently (it seemed to me worthy of telling) a pomp: a drunk old woman was dragging a drunk old man.
Yet, since who this goddess is wanders in rumors,
no tale is to be hidden from my design.
Miserable Dido had burned with love’s fire for Aeneas,

545

     arserat exstructis in sua fata rogis,
compositusque cinis, tumulique in marmore carmen
     hoc breve, quod moriens ipsa reliquit, erat:
praebvit Aeneas et cavsam mortis et ensem:
     ipsa sva Dido concidit vsa manv.

     she had burned on pyres constructed for her own fate,
and the ashes laid to rest, and on the marble of the tomb
     this brief epitaph, which she herself left as she was dying, was:
Aeneas provided both the cause of death and the sword:
     Dido herself fell by her own hand.

550

protinus invadunt Numidae sine vindice regnum,
     et potitur capta Maurus Iarba domo,
seque memor spretum 'thalamis tamen' inquit 'Elissae
     en ego, quem totiens reppulit illa, fruor.'
diffugiunt Tyrii quo quemque agit error, ut olim

straightway the Numidians invade the kingdom without a protector,
     and the Moor Iarbas takes possession of the captured house,
and, mindful of having been spurned, he says, 'yet in Elissa’s marriage-chambers
     lo, I—whom she so often drove away—enjoy it.'
the Tyrians scatter, whither wandering drives each one, as once

555

     amisso dubiae rege vagantur apes.
tertia nudandas acceperat area messes,
     inque cavos ierant tertia musta lacus:
pellitur Anna domo, lacrimansque sororia linquit
     moenia; germanae iusta dat ante suae.

     with their king lost, the uncertain bees wander.
a third threshing-floor had received harvests to be stripped,
     and the third musts had gone into the hollow vats:
Anna is driven from the house, and weeping she leaves the sisterly
     walls; to her own sister she gives the due rites first.

560

mixta bibunt molles lacrimis unguenta favillae,
     vertice libatas accipiuntque comas,
terque 'vale' dixit, cineres ter ad ora relatos
     pressit, et est illis visa subesse soror.
nacta ratem comitesque fugae pede labitur aequo

the soft ashes drink unguents mixed with tears,
     and receive from her crown locks offered as a libation,
and three times she said 'farewell,' three times she pressed to her lips
     the ashes brought back, and it seemed that the sister was there beneath.
having found a ship and companions for flight, she glides with even foot

565

     moenia respiciens, dulce sororis opus.
fertilis est Melite sterili vicina Cosyrae
     insula, quam Libyci verberat unda freti.
hanc petit, hospitio regis confisa vetusto:
     hospes opum dives rex ibi Battus erat.

     looking back at the walls, the sweet work of her sister.
Melite is fertile, neighboring sterile Cosyra,
     an island which the wave of the Libyan strait lashes.
she seeks this island, trusting in the time-honored hospitality of a king:
     there King Battus was, a host rich in resources.

570

qui postquam didicit casus utriusque sororis,
     'haec' inquit 'tellus quantulacumque tua est.'
et tamen hospitii servasset ad ultima munus;
     sed timuit magnas Pygmalionis opes.
signa recensuerat bis sol sua, tertius ibat

who, after he learned the misfortunes of both sisters,
     'this land,' he says, 'however small it is, is yours.'
and yet he would have kept the duty of hospitality to the last;
     but he feared the great resources of Pygmalion.
the Sun had reckoned his signs twice, a third was going

575

annus, et exilio terra paranda nova est.
frater adest belloque petit. rex arma perosus
'nos sumus inbelles, tu fuge sospes' ait.

A year has passed, and for exile a new land must be prepared.
The brother is at hand and assails in war. The king, hating arms,
'we are unwarlike; you, flee safe and sound,' he says.

iussa fugit ventoque ratem committit et undis:
asperior quovis aequore frater erat.

at the bidding he flees, and commits the ship to the wind and the waves:
the brother was harsher than any sea.

580

est prope piscosos lapidosi Crathidis amnes
     parvus ager, Cameren incola turba vocat:
illuc cursus erat. nec longius abfuit inde
     quam quantum novies mittere funda potest:
vela cadunt primo et dubia librantur ab aura:

There is near the fish-rich streams of stony Crathis
     a small field, which the resident throng calls Camere:
thither was the course. Nor was it farther from there
     than as far as a sling can send nine times:
the sails fall at first and are poised by a doubtful breeze:

585

     'findite remigio' navita dixit 'aquas';
dumque parant torto subducere carbasa lino,
     percutitur rapido puppis adunca Noto,
inque patens aequor, frustra pugnante magistro,
     fertur, et ex oculis visa refugit humus.

     'cleave the waters with the oars,' said the sailor;
and while they prepare to draw up the canvas of twisted linen,
     the curved stern is struck by the swift Notus,
and onto the open plain of the sea, with the master struggling in vain,
     it is borne, and the land, once seen, flees back from the eyes.

590

adsiliunt fluctus imoque a gurgite pontus
     vertitur, et canas alveus haurit aquas.
vincitur ars vento nec iam moderator habenis
     utitur, at votis is quoque poscit opem.
iactatur tumidas exul Phoenissa per undas,

the waves leap up and from the deepest whirlpool the sea
     is turned, and the hull gulps down hoary waters.
art is conquered by the wind, nor now does the helmsman use the reins,
     but he too with vows asks for help.
the Phoenician exile is tossed through the swollen waves,

595

     umidaque opposita lumina veste tegit.
tum primum Dido felix est dicta sorori
     et quaecumque aliquam corpore pressit humum.
ducitur ad Laurens ingenti flamine litus
     puppis, et expositis omnibus hausta perit.

     and she covers her eyes, humid, with a garment held before.
then for the first time Dido was called happy by her sister
     and whatever soil her body pressed.
the ship is led to the Laurentine shore by a huge blast
     and, with all set ashore, swallowed up it perishes.

600

iam pius Aeneas regno nataque Latini
     auctus erat, populos miscueratque duos.
litore dotali solo comitatus Achate
     secretum nudo dum pede carpit iter,
aspicit errantem, nec credere sustinet Annam

now pious Aeneas had been augmented by the kingdom and by the daughter of Latinus,
     and had mingled the two peoples.
on the dotal shore, accompanied by Achates alone,
     while he with bare foot picks a secret path,
he beholds one wandering, nor can he bring himself to believe it is Anna.

605

esse: quid in Latios illa veniret agros?
dum secum Aeneas, 'Anna est!' exclamat Achates:
ad nomen voltus sustulit illa suos.
heu, quid agat?

to be: why was that woman coming into the Latin fields?
while Aeneas muses to himself, 'It is Anna!' Achates exclaims:
at the name she lifted her countenance.
alas, what is she to do?

fugiat? quos terrae quaerat hiatus?
ante oculos miserae fata sororis erant.

should she flee? what chasms of the earth should she seek?
before the wretched one's eyes was the fate of her sister.

610

sensit, et adloquitur trepidam Cythereius heros
     (flet tamen admonitu motus, Elissa, tui):
'Anna, per hanc iuro, quam quondam audire solebas
     tellurem fato prosperiore dari,
perque deos comites, hac nuper sede locatos,

he sensed it, and the Cythereian hero addresses the trembling one
     (yet he weeps, moved by your admonition, Elissa):
'Anna, by this land I swear, which once you were accustomed to hear
     was being given by a more prosperous fate,
and by the companion gods, lately placed in this seat,'

615

saepe meas illos increpuisse moras.
nec timui de morte tamen: metus abfuit iste.
ei mihi, credibili fortior illa fuit.

that those have often reproached my delays.
nor did I fear about death, however: that fear was absent.
alas for me, death proved stronger than credible.

ne refer: aspexi non illo corpore digna
volnera Tartareas ausus adire domos.

do not recount: I beheld wounds not worthy of that body
wounds of one who dared to go to the Tartarean homes.

620

at tu, seu ratio te nostris adpulit oris
     sive deus, regni commoda carpe mei.
multa tibi memores, nil non debemus Elissae:
     nomine grata tuo, grata sororis eris.'
talia dicenti (neque enim spes altera restat)

but you, whether reason has brought you to our shores
     or a god, seize the advantages of my realm.
mindful, we owe many things to you; we owe everything to Elissa:
     welcome in your own name, welcome as a sister.'
to one saying such things (for indeed no other hope remains)

625

     credidit, errores exposuitque suos;
utque domum intravit Tyrios induta paratus,
     incipit Aeneas (cetera turba tacet):
'hanc tibi cur tradam, pia causa, Lavinia coniunx,
     est mihi: consumpsi naufragus huius opes.

     she believed, and he exposed his errors (wanderings);
and as she entered the house, clad in Tyrian attire,
     Aeneas begins (the rest of the crowd is silent):
'why I should hand this over to you—a pious cause—I have: Lavinia is my spouse;
     shipwrecked, I have consumed this woman’s wealth.

630

orta Tyro est, regnum Libyca possedit in ora:
     quam precor ut carae more sororis ames.'
omnia promittit falsumque Lavinia volnus
     mente premit tacita dissimulatque metus;
donaque cum videat praeter sua lumina ferri

she arose from Tyre, she possessed a kingdom on the Libyan shore:
     whom I pray that you love after the manner of a dear sister.'
Lavinia promises everything and the false wound
     she presses down in a silent mind and dissimulates her fears;
and when she sees the gifts being borne past her own eyes

635

     multa, tamen mitti clam quoque multa putat.
non habet exactum quid agat: furialiter odit,
     et parat insidias et cupit ulta mori.
nox erat: ante torum visa est adstare sororis
     squalenti Dido sanguinulenta coma

     many things, yet she thinks that many things too are sent secretly.
she has no settled plan what she should do: furiously, like a Fury, she hates,
     and she prepares insidious ambushes and longs, avenged, to die.
it was night: before her sister’s couch she seemed to stand
     Dido with squalid, sanguine-stained hair

640

et 'fuge, ne dubita, maestum fuge' dicere 'tectum';
     sub verbum querulas impulit aura fores.
exsilit et velox humili ~super ausa~ fenestra
     se iacit (audacem fecerat ipse timor),
cumque metu rapitur tunica velata recincta,

and to say, 'flee, do not hesitate, flee the mournful 'roof'';
     at the word a breeze pushed the querulous doors.
she springs up, and swift, ~daring over~ the low window
     she throws herself (fear itself had made her bold),
and by fear she is snatched, veiled with her tunic ungirdled,

645

     currit ut auditis territa damma lupis,
corniger hanc cupidis rapuisse Numicius undis
     creditur et stagnis occuluisse suis.
Sidonis interea magno clamore per agros
     quaeritur: apparent signa notaeque pedum;

     she runs like a doe, terrified, with the wolves heard,
the horn-bearing Numicius is believed to have snatched her with desirous waves
     and to have concealed her in his pools.
Meanwhile the Sidonian woman with great clamor through the fields
     is sought: the signs and the marks of her feet appear;

650

ventum erat ad ripas: inerant vestigia ripis;
     sustinuit tacitas conscius amnis aquas.
ipsa loqui visa est 'placidi sum nympha Numici:
     amne perenne latens Anna Perenna vocor.'
protinus erratis laeti vescuntur in agris

they had come to the banks: there were footprints on the banks;
     the privy river held back its silent waters.
she herself seemed to speak: 'I am the nymph of the placid Numicus:
     hidden in a perennial stream I am called Anna Perenna.'
straightway, happy, they feast in the fields they had wandered

655

     et celebrant largo seque diemque mero.
Sunt quibus haec Luna est, quia mensibus impleat annum;
     pars Themin, Inachiam pars putat esse bovem.
invenies qui te nymphen Azanida dicant
     teque Iovi primos, Anna, dedisse cibos.

     and they celebrate both themselves and the day with copious wine.
There are those for whom this is the Moon, because with months she fills the year;
     some think you Themis, some think you the Inachian cow.
you will find those who call you an Azanid nymph
     and that you, Anna, gave Jove his first food.

660

haec quoque, quam referam, nostras pervenit ad aures
     fama, nec a veri dissidet illa fide.
plebs vetus et nullis etiam nunc tuta tribunis
     fugit et in Sacri vertice Montis erat;
iam quoque quem secum tulerant defecerat illos

These too, which I shall recount, a report has reached our ears,
     and it does not dissent from the faith of truth.
The old plebs, not yet safe by any tribunes,
     fled and was on the summit of the Sacred Mount;
already even that which they had carried with them had failed them

665

     victus et humanis usibus apta Ceres.
orta suburbanis quaedam fuit Anna Bovillis,
     pauper, sed multae sedulitatis anus;
illa, levi mitra canos incincta capillos,
     fingebat tremula rustica liba manu,

     victuals and Ceres apt for human uses.
there arose in the suburban parts a certain Anna at Bovillae,
     poor, but an old woman of much sedulity;
     she, with a light mitre encircling her gray hairs,
     was shaping rustic cakes with a trembling hand,

670

atque ita per populum fumantia mane solebat
     dividere: haec populo copia grata fuit.
pace domi facta signum posuere Perennae,
     quod sibi defectis illa ferebat opem.
Nunc mihi, cur cantent, superest, obscena puellae,

and thus in the morning she used to distribute the steaming (cakes) among the people,
     this plenty was pleasing to the people.
with peace made at home they set up a statue to Perenna,
     because she used to bring help to them when they were in want.
now for me there remains why the girls sing obscenities,

675

     dicere; nam coeunt certaque probra canunt.
nuper erat dea facta: venit Gradivus ad Annam,
     et cum seducta talia verba facit:
'mense meo coleris, iunxi mea tempora tecum;
     pendet ab officio spes mihi magna tuo.

     to tell; for they assemble and sing sure reproaches.
recently she had been made a goddess: Gradivus came to Anna,
     and, having drawn her aside, he speaks such words:
'in my month you are worshiped, I have joined my times with yours;
     a great hope for me hangs upon your good offices.

680

armifer armiferae correptus amore Minervae
     uror, et hoc longo tempore volnus alo.
effice, di studio similes coeamus in unum:
     conveniunt partes hae tibi, comis anus.'
dixerat; illa deum promisso ludit inani,

arms-bearing, seized by love for arms-bearing Minerva
     I burn, and I nourish this wound for a long time.
Effect, goddess, that, similar in zeal, we come together into one:
     these parts suit you, kindly old woman.'
He had spoken; she fools the god with an empty promise,

685

     et stultam dubia spem trahit usque mora.
saepius instanti 'mandata peregimus' inquit;
     'evicta est: precibus vix dedit illa manus.'
credit amans thalamosque parat. deducitur illuc
     Anna tegens voltus, ut nova nupta, suos.

     and delay keeps dragging along his foolish, doubtful hope.
more often, to the one insisting, 'we have fulfilled the mandates,' she says;
     'she has been overcome: to prayers she scarcely gave her hand.'
the lover believes and prepares the marriage-chamber. She is conducted thither
     Anna, covering her features, like a new bride, her own.

690

oscula sumpturus subito Mars aspicit Annam:
     nunc pudor elusum, nunc subit ira, deum.
ridet amatorem carae nova diva Minervae,
     nec res hac Veneri gratior ulla fuit.
inde ioci veteres obscenaque dicta canuntur,

about to take kisses, suddenly Mars beholds Anna:
     now shame at being outwitted, now anger, comes upon the god.
the new goddess laughs at the lover of dear Minerva,
     nor was anything more pleasing to Venus than this.
thence old jests and obscene sayings are sung,

695

     et iuvat hanc magno verba dedisse deo.
Praeteriturus eram gladios in principe fixos,
     cum sic a castis Vesta locuta focis:
'ne dubita meminisse: meus fuit ille sacerdos;
     sacrilegae telis me petiere manus.

     and it delights her to have given words to this great god.
I was about to pass over the swords fixed in the princeps,
     when thus from her chaste hearths Vesta spoke:
'do not hesitate to remember: that man was my priest;
     sacrilegious hands sought me with weapons.'

700

ipsa virum rapui simulacraque nuda reliqui:
     quae cecidit ferro, Caesaris umbra fuit.'
ille quidem caelo positus Iovis atria vidit,
     et tenet in magno templa dicata foro;
at quicumque nefas ausi, prohibente deorum

I myself snatched away the man and left the simulacra naked:
     that which fell by the steel was Caesar’s shade.'
He indeed, set in heaven, saw the atria of Jove,
     and he holds dedicated temples in the great Forum;
but whoever dared the nefas, with the gods forbidding

705

     numine, polluerant pontificale caput,
morte iacent merita: testes estote, Philippi,
     et quorum sparsis ossibus albet humus.
hoc opus, haec pietas, haec prima elementa fuerunt
     Caesaris, ulcisci iusta per arma patrem.

     by the numen, they had polluted the pontifical head,
they lie by a merited death: be witnesses, O Philippi,
     and you whose scattered bones whiten the soil.
this was the work, this the piety, these were the first elements
     of Caesar: to avenge his father by just arms.

710

16. C F

Postera cum teneras aurora refecerit herbas,
Scorpios a prima parte videndus erit.

On the next day, when Aurora has refreshed the tender grasses,
Scorpius will be seen from the first part.

17. D LIB : AGON : NP

17. D LIBERALIA : AGONALIA : PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Tertia post Idus lux est celeberrima Baccho:
Bacche, fave vati, dum tua festa cano.
nec referam Semelen, ad quam nisi fulmina secum

The third day after the Ides is most celebrated for Bacchus:
Bacchus, favor the vates, while I sing your festivals.
nor shall I recount Semele, to whom he came only with the thunderbolts with him

715

     Iuppiter adferret, ~parvus inermis eras~;
nec, puer ut posses maturo tempore nasci,
     expletum patrio corpore matris opus.
Sithonas et Scythicos longum narrare triumphos
     et domitas gentes, turifer Inde, tuas.

     Jupiter would bring the thunderbolts, ~you were small and unarmed~;
nor, that you might be able as a boy to be born at a mature time,
     was the work of the mother completed in the father’s body.
to recount at length the Sithonians and Scythic triumphs
     and your subjugated peoples, incense-bearing India, yours.

720

tu quoque Thebanae mala praeda tacebere matris,
     inque tuum furiis acte Lycurge genus.
ecce libet subitos pisces Tyrrhenaque monstra
     dicere; sed non est carminis huius opus.
carminis huius opus causas exponere quare

you too will be silent, an evil prey of your Theban mother,
     and you, Lycurgus, driven by the Furies, against your own kin.
behold, I am inclined to tell of sudden fishes and Tyrrhenian monsters
     to tell; but it is not the work of this song.
the work of this song is to set forth the causes why

725

     vitisator populos ad sua liba vocet.
ante tuos ortus arae sine honore fuerunt,
     Liber, et in gelidis herba reperta focis.
te memorant, Gange totoque Oriente subacto,
     primitias magno seposuisse Iovi:

     let the vine-dresser call the peoples to his liba.
before your birth the altars were without honor,
     Liber, and on the icy hearths grass was found.
they recount that you, with the Ganges and the whole Orient subdued,
     set apart the first-fruits for great Jove:

730

cinnama tu primus captivaque tura dedisti
     deque triumphato viscera tosta bove.
nomine ab auctoris ducunt libamina nomen
     libaque, quod sanctis pars datur inde focis;
liba deo fiunt, sucis quia dulcibus idem

you first gave cinnamon and captured frankincense
     and from the triumphal ox, roasted viscera.
libations take their name from the name of the author,
     and liba-cakes, because a part is given thence to the holy hearths;
liba are made for the god, since he too is of sweet juices

735

     gaudet, et a Baccho mella reperta ferunt.
ibat harenoso satyris comitatus ab Hebro
     (non habet ingratos fabula nostra iocos);
iamque erat ad Rhodopen Pangaeaque florida ventum:
     aeriferae comitum concrepuere manus.

     he rejoices, and they report honey discovered by Bacchus.
he was going from the sandy Hebrus, accompanied by satyrs
     (our fable does not have unpleasing jests);
and now they had come to Rhodope and flowery Pangaea:
     the hands of the companions, bearing bronze, clashed.

740

ecce novae coeunt volucres tinnitibus actae,
     quosque movent sonitus aera, sequuntur apes;
colligit errantes et in arbore claudit inani
     Liber, et inventi praemia mellis habet.
ut satyri levisque senex tetigere saporem

behold, new winged creatures come together, driven by ringings,
     and the bees follow the sounds that stir the air;
he gathers the wanderers and shuts them in an empty tree
     Liber, and he holds the rewards of the honey discovered.
     when the satyrs and the light old man touched the savor

745

     quaerebant flavos per nemus omne favos.
audit in exesa stridorem examinis ulmo,
     aspicit et ceras dissimulatque senex;
utque piger pandi tergo residebat aselli,
     adplicat hunc ulmo corticibusque cavis.

     they were seeking golden honeycombs through the whole grove.
he hears in a hollowed elm the buzzing of the swarm,
     he looks, and the old man dissimulates the wax as well;
and as, sluggish, he was sitting on the back of a sway‑backed little donkey,
     he fastens this one to the elm with hollow bark-strips.

750

constitit ipse super ramoso stipite nixus,
     atque avide trunco condita mella petit:
milia crabronum coeunt, et vertice nudo
     spicula defigunt oraque sima notant.
ille cadit praeceps et calce feritur aselli,

he himself stood, leaning upon a branchy trunk,
     and avidly seeks the honey stored in the trunk:
thousands of hornets gather, and on his bare crown
     they drive in their little darts and mark his snub face.
he falls headlong and is struck by the kick of the little ass,

755

     inclamatque suos auxiliumque rogat.
concurrunt satyri turgentiaque ora parentis
     rident: percusso claudicat ille genu.
ridet et ipse deus, limumque inducere monstrat;
     hic paret monitis et linit ora luto.

     and he cries out to his own and asks for help.
they run together, the satyrs, and they laugh at the swelling face of their parent
     he limps, his knee having been struck.
the god himself also laughs, and shows how to apply mud;
     he heeds the monitions and smears his face with mud.

760

melle pater fruitur, liboque infusa calenti
     iure repertori splendida mella damus.
femina cur praesit, non est rationis opertae:
     femineos thyrso concitat ille choros.
cur anus hoc faciat, quaeris? vinosior aetas

the father enjoys honey, and, infused into a warm libum,
     by right we give splendid honeys to the discoverer.
why a woman presides is not of hidden reasoning:
     he rouses feminine choruses with the thyrsus.
why an old woman does this, you ask? a more vinous age

765

~haec erat et~ gravidae munera vitis amat.
cur hedera cincta est? hedera est gratissima Baccho;
hoc quoque cur ita sit, discere nulla mora est.

~this too was~ she loves the gifts of the gravid vine.
why is she encircled with ivy? ivy is most pleasing to Bacchus;
for this too, why it is so, there is no delay to learn.

Nysiadas nymphas puerum quaerente noverca
hanc frondem cunis opposuisse ferunt.

while the stepmother was seeking the boy, the Nysian nymphs
set this frond before the cradle, they report.

770

Restat ut inveniam quare toga libera detur
     Lucifero pueris, candide Bacche, tuo:
sive quod ipse puer semper iuvenisque videris,
     et media est aetas inter utrumque tibi;
seu quia tu pater es, patres sua pignora, natos,

It remains that I find why the free toga is given
     to Lucifer by boys, O fair Bacchus, yours:
whether because you yourself seem ever a boy and a youth,
     and your age is midway between each;
or because you are a father, fathers their pledges, their sons,

775

     commendant curae numinibusque tuis:
sive, quod es Liber, vestis quoque libera per te
     sumitur et vitae liberioris iter:
an quia, cum colerent prisci studiosius agros,
     et faceret patrio rure senator opus,

     they commend their pledges, their sons, to your care and to your numina:
or, because you are Liber, the free garment too through you
     is assumed and the road of a more liberal life:
or because, when the ancients cultivated the fields more studiously,
     and the senator would do work in his paternal countryside,

780

et caperet fasces a curvo consul aratro,
     nec crimen duras esset habere manus,
rusticus ad ludos populus veniebat in Urbem—
     sed dis, non studiis ille dabatur honor:
luce sua ludos uvae commentor habebat,

and the consul would take up the fasces from the curved plow,
     nor was it a crime to have hard hands,
the rustic people used to come to the City for the games—
     but that honor was given to the gods, not to pastimes:
on his own day the deviser of the grape held the games,

785

     quos cum taedifera nunc habet ille dea—
ergo ut tironem celebrare frequentia possit,
     visa dies dandae non aliena togae?
mite caput, pater, huc placataque cornua vertas,
     et des ingenio vela secunda meo.

     which now that god holds with the torch-bearing goddess—
therefore, so that the frequent crowd may be able to celebrate a tyro,
     did the day seem not alien for giving the toga?
turn hither your gentle head, father, and your appeased horns,
     and give favorable sails to my wit.

790

Itur ad Argeos (qui sint, sua pagina dicet)
     hac, si commemini, praeteritaque die.
stella Lycaoniam vergit declinis ad Arcton
     Miluus: haec illa nocte videnda venit.
quid dederit volucri, si vis cognoscere, caelum,

One goes to the Argei (who they are, its own page will tell)
     on this, if you remember, and on the day just past.
the star, the Kite, slopes and inclines toward the Lycaonian Bear:
     this comes to be seen on that night.
what the sky has granted to the bird, if you wish to know,

795

     Saturnus regnis a Iove pulsus erat;
concitat iratus validos Titanas in arma,
     quaeque fuit fatis debita temptat opem.
matre satus Terra, monstrum mirabile, taurus
     parte sui serpens posteriore fuit:

     Saturn had been driven from his realms by Jove;
angry, he rouses the mighty Titans to arms,
     and attempts the aid which was owed by the Fates.
born of Mother Earth, a wondrous monster, a bull
     in his posterior part was a serpent:

800

hunc triplici muro lucis incluserat atris
     Parcarum monitu Styx violenta trium.
viscera qui tauri flammis adolenda dedisset,
     sors erat aeternos vincere posse deos.
immolat hunc Briareus facta ex adamante securi,

him with a triple wall of black light had enclosed
     at the monition of the three Parcae, the violent Styx.
he who should have given the bull’s viscera to the flames to be burnt,
     the lot was that he could conquer the eternal gods.
Briareus immolates this one with an axe made from adamant,

805

et iamiam flammis exta daturus erat:
Iuppiter alitibus rapere imperat: attulit illi
miluus, et meritis venit in astra suis.

and just now he was about to give the entrails to the flames:
Jupiter orders the birds to snatch them: the kite brought it to him,
and by his own merits he came into the stars.

(18. EC) 19. F QVINQ : NP
20. GC 21. HC 22. AN

(18. E, COMITIAL) 19. FASTUS; QUINQUATRUS: PUBLIC NEFASTUS
20. G, COMITIAL 21. H, COMITIAL 22. A, NEFASTUS

Una dies media est, et fiunt sacra Minervae,
     nomina quae iunctis quinque diebus habent.
sanguine prima vacat, nec fas concurrere ferro:
     causa, quod est illa nata Minerva die.
altera tresque super rasa celebrantur harena:
     ensibus exsertis bellica laeta dea est.
Pallada nunc pueri teneraeque orate puellae;

One day is the midpoint, and the sacred rites of Minerva are held,
     which take their name from five days joined.
the first is free from blood, nor is it lawful to clash with steel:
     the cause is that Minerva was born on that day.
the second and the three thereafter are celebrated on smoothed sand:
     with swords drawn the warlike goddess is glad.
Pray now to Pallas, boys and tender girls;

815

     qui bene placarit Pallada, doctus erit.
Pallade placata lanam mollire puellae
     discant et plenas exonerare colos.
illa etiam stantes radio percurrere telas
     erudit et rarum pectine denset opus.

     who well propitiates Pallas will be learned.
With Pallas placated, let tender girls
     learn to soften wool and to unload full distaffs.
she also trains them to run through the standing webs with the shuttle,
     and with the comb she densifies the loose work.

820

hanc cole, qui maculas laesis de vestibus aufers:
     hanc cole, velleribus quisquis aena paras.
nec quisquam invita faciet bene vincula plantae
     Pallade, sit Tychio doctior ille licet:
et licet antiquo manibus conlatus Epeo

Honor her, you who remove spots from garments that have been damaged:
     honor her, whoever prepares bronze cauldrons for fleeces.
nor will anyone, with Pallas unwilling, well make the bonds of the sole,
     though he be more doctus than Tychius:
and though, compared in hands with ancient Epeius

825

     sit prior, irata Pallade mancus erit.
vos quoque, Phoebea morbos qui pellitis arte,
     munera de vestris pauca referte deae.
nec vos, turba fere censu fraudata, magistri,
     spernite (discipulos attrahit illa novos),

     let him be first; with Pallas angered he will be maimed.
you too, who drive away diseases by Phoebean art,
     bring back a few gifts from your own to the goddess.
nor you, masters, a crowd for the most part defrauded of income,
     do not spurn her (she draws new disciples),

830

quique moves caelum, tabulamque coloribus uris,
     quique facis docta mollia saxa manu.
mille dea est operum: certe dea carminis illa est;
     si mereor, studiis adsit amica meis.
Caelius ex alto qua mons descendit in aequum,

and you who move the heaven, and burn the panel with colors,
     and you who make the stones soft with a learned hand.
the goddess is of a thousand works: surely she is the goddess of song;
     if I deserve it, let her be present, friendly, to my studies.
where the Caelian from on high the hill descends into the level ground,

835

     hic, ubi non plana est, sed prope plana via,
parva licet videas Captae delubra Minervae,
     quae dea natali coepit habere suo.
nominis in dubio causa est. capitale vocamus
     ingenium sollers: ingeniosa dea est.

     here, where the way is not flat, but nearly flat,
you may see the small shrines of Minerva the Captive,
     which the goddess began to have on her own natal day.
the cause of the name is in doubt. we call a skillful ingenuity “capital”;
     the goddess is ingenious.

840

an quia de capitis fertur sine matre paterni
     vertice cum clipeo prosiluisse suo?
an quia perdomitis ad nos captiva Faliscis
     venit? et hoc signo littera prisca docet.
an quod habet legem, capitis quae pendere poenas

or because she is said, without a mother, to have leapt forth from her paternal head,
     from his own crown along with a shield?
or because, with the Falisci thoroughly subdued, as a captive
     she came to us? and by this sign the ancient letter instructs.
or because she has a law, which exacts capital penalties

845

ex illo iubeat furta recepta loco?
a quacumque trahis ratione vocabula, Pallas,
pro ducibus nostris aegida semper habe.

from that source does she bid that thefts be recovered?
from whatever reasoning you draw your names, Pallas,
hold the aegis always on behalf of our leaders.

23. B TVBIL : NP

23. B TUBILUSTRIUM : NP

Summa dies e quinque tubas lustrare canoras
     admonet et forti sacrificare deae.
nunc potes ad solem sublato dicere voltu
     'hic here Phrixeae vellera pressit ovis.'
seminibus tostis sceleratae fraude novercae
     sustulerat nullas, ut solet, herba comas:
mittitur ad tripodas certa qui sorte reportet

The final day out of five admonishes to lustrate the tuneful trumpets
     and to sacrifice to the stout goddess.
now you can say to the sun with countenance upraised
     'here yesterday the Phrixean sheep pressed the fleeces.'
with seeds toasted, by the wicked stepmother’s fraud,
     the herb had lifted no locks, as it is wont:
he is sent to the tripods, who may bring back by a sure lot

855

     quam sterili terrae Delphicus edat opem.
hic quoque corruptus cum semine nuntiat Helles
     et iuvenis Phrixi funera sorte peti.
usque recusantem cives et tempus et Ino
     compulerunt regem iussa nefanda pati;

     how the Delphic one might put forth aid for the sterile earth.
here too, corrupted together with the seed, he announces Helle’s
     and the youth Phrixus’s funerals are sought by lot.
ever refusing, the citizens and the season and Ino
     forced the king to suffer the unspeakable commands;

860

et soror et Phrixus, velati tempora vittis,
     stant simul ante aras iunctaque fata gemunt.
aspicit hos, ut forte pependerat aethere, mater
     et ferit attonita pectora nuda manu,
inque draconigenam nimbis comitantibus urbem

both the sister and Phrixus, their temples veiled with fillets,
     stand together before the altars and groan over their joined fates.
she beholds them, as by chance she was hanging in the ether, the mother,
     and, thunderstruck, strikes her breast with a bare hand,
and into the dragon-born city with clouds accompanying

865

     desilit, et natos eripit inde suos;
utque fugam capiant, aries nitidissimus auro
     traditur: ille vehit per freta longa duos.
dicitur infirma cornu tenuisse sinistra
     femina, cum de se nomina fecit aquae.

     she leaps down, and snatches her own children from there;
and so that they might take flight, a ram most shining with gold
     is handed over: he carries the two across the long straits.
it is said the woman held the horn with her weaker left hand,
     when the water took its name from her.

870

paene simul periit, dum volt succurrere lapsae,
     frater, et extentas porrigit usque manus.
flebat, ut amissa gemini consorte pericli,
     caeruleo iunctam nescius esse deo.
litoribus tactis aries fit sidus; at huius

he almost perished at the same moment, while he wished to succor the one who had slipped,
     the brother, and he stretches out his hands to the utmost.
he wept, as having lost the consort of their twin peril,
     not knowing that she was joined to the cerulean god.
with the shores touched the ram becomes a constellation; but of this

875

pervenit in Colchas aurea lana domos.

the Golden Fleece reached the Colchian homes.

(24. C Q : REX : C : F) (25. DC) 26. EC

(24. C Q : KING : C : F) (25. DC) 26. EC

Tres ubi Luciferos veniens praemiserit Eos,
tempora nocturnis aequa diurna feres.

When, coming, Eos has sent ahead three Lucifers,
you will have daytimes equal to the night-times.

(27. F NP) (28. GC) (29. HC) 30. AC

Inde quater pastor saturos ubi clauserit haedos,
canuerint herbae rore recente quater,
Ianus adorandus cumque hoc Concordia mitis
et Romana Salus Araque Pacis erit.

Then, four times when the shepherd shall have enclosed the sated kids,
and the grasses shall have grown hoary with recent dew four times,
Janus is to be adored, and along with this gentle Concord,
and Roman Welfare and the Altar of Peace.

31. BC

Luna regit menses: huius quoque tempora mensis
finit Aventino Luna colenda iugo.

The Moon rules the months: the Moon, to be worshiped on the Aventine ridge,
also sets the bounds of this month.