---
title: "Epigrams · Epigrammata"
author: "Ausonius"
translator: "Hugh G. Evelyn-White"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/
cite: "Ausonius, tr. Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Epigrams · Epigrammata. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/"
---

# Epigrams · Epigrammata

*Ausonius, tr. Hugh G. Evelyn-White*

Short poems by the tutor of the emperor Gratian, on friends, wives, doctors and statues.

> Latin: ed. Hugh G. Evelyn-White, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, stoa0045.stoa010, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Hugh G. Evelyn-White, from the Perseus Digital Library (stoa0045.stoa010.perseus-eng1). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Poems 1–47](https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/1.md)
2. [Poems 48–112](https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/2.md)

## 1. Poems 1–47

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/1/#p-N

[¶0] If worms and decay must needs be thy lot, my sheet, begin to perish under my verses first. “Rather,” thou sayest, “the worms.” Wisely, my woeful little book, dost thou choose to endure the lesser evil. But I like not to lose the leisure given to the wasteful Muse, who causes loss of slimmer and lamp-oil too. “It had been better to sleep than to lose both slumber and oil.” Well said: but this is my reason for it. I am angry with Proculus 1 whose eloquenee is equal to his rank. He has written reams, but keeps all close. On him I long to be avenged, and a poet has vengeance ready to hand: let him who publishes not his own verse read mine. For him is it to decide whether to bid thee keep thy youth with cedar oil,2 or to be food for cruel worms. To him I commit all that I have to show for my inglorious leisure, either to scan what I shall give him or to ban it. EPIGRAMS ON VARIOUS MATTERS

> Latin: SI tineas cariemque pati te, charta, necesse est,
incipe versiculis ante perire meis.
“malo, inquis, tineis.” sapis, aerumnose libelle,
perfungi mavis quod leviore malo.
ast ego damnosae nolo otia perdere Musae,
iacturam somni quae parit atque olei.
“utilius dormire fuit, quam perdere somnum”
“atque oleum.” bene ais: causa sed ista mihi est:
irascor Proculo, cuius facundia tanta est,
quantus honos, scripsit plurima, quae cohibet.
hune studeo ulcisci; et prompta est ultio vati:
qui sua non edit carmina, nostra legat,
huius in arbitrio est, seu te invenescere cedro,
seu iubeat duris vermibus esse cibum,
huic ego. quod nobis superest ignobilis oti,
deputo, sive legat, quae dabo, sive tegat.

[¶1] 'TIS said that Agathocles 1 when king dined off earthen plates and that his sideboard oft bare a load of Samian ware, whereas he used to lay his rustic trays with jewelled cups, thus mingling wealth and poverty together. To one who asked his reason he replied: “I, who am king of Sicily, was born a potter's son.” Bear good fortune modestly, whoe'er thou art who from a lowly place shall rise suddenly to riches.

> Latin: FAMA est fictilibus cenasse Agathoclea regem
atque abacum Samio saepe onerasse luto,
fereula geminatis cum poneret horrida 1 vasis
et miseeret opes pauperiemque simul,
quaerenti causam respondit: “Rex ego qui sum ”
“Sicaniae, figulo sum genitore satus.”
fortunam reverenter habe, quicumque repente
dives ab exili progrediere loco.

[¶2] A FAITHLESS wife gave poison to her jealous spouse, but believed that not enough was given to cause death. She added quicksilver of deadly weight, that the poison's redoubled strength might force on a speedy end. If one keep these apart, separate they act as poison; whoso shall drink them together, will take an antidote. Therefore while these baleful draughts strove with each other, the deadly force yielded to the wholesome. Forthwith they sought the void recesses of the belly by the accustomed easy path for swallowed food. Mark well the loving kindness of the gods! A wife too ruthless is a gain, and, when the Fates will, two poisons work for good.

> Latin: TOXICA zelotypo dedit uxor moecha marito,
nec satis ad mortem credidit esse datum,
miscuit argenti letalia pondera vivi,
cogeret ut celerem vis geminata necem,
dividat haec si quis, faciunt discreta venenum;
antidotum sumet, qui sociata bibet,
ergo inter sese dum noxia pocula certant,
cessit letalis noxa salutiferae.
protinus et vacuos alvi petiere recessus,
lubrica deiectis qua via nota cibis,
quam pia cura deum! prodest crudelior uxor:
et, cum fata volunt, bina venena iuvant.

[¶3] EUNOMUS had once pronounced that Gains would die of his sickness. He slipped away, Fate—not the doctor—aiding. A little afterwards the doctor saw, or thought he saw, the man, pale, and in death's very likeness. “Who art thou?” he asked. “Gaius,” he answered. “Art thou alive?” He answered “No.” “And what now dost thou here?” “I come,” said he, “at the behest of Dis, because I still retained knowledge of the world and men, to summon to him doctors.” Eunomus grew stiff with fright. Then Gaius: “Fear nothing, Eunomus: I said, as all men say, that no man who is wise calls you a doctor.”

> Latin: LANGUENTEM Gaium moriturum dixerat olim
Eunomus. evasit fati ope, non medici.
paulo post ipsum videt, aut vidisse putavit,
pallentem et multa mortis in effigie.
“Quis tu?” “Gaius,” ait. “Vivisne?” hic abnuit. “Et quid
nunc agis hic?” “Missu Ditis, ait, venio,
ut, quia notitiam rerumque hominumque tenerem,
accirem medicos.” Eunomus obriguit.
tum Gaius: “Metuas nihil, Eunome. dixi ego et omnes,
nullum, qui saperet, dicere te medicum.”

[¶4] WHELPS' barking, horses' neighing thou dost copy, and imitate the bleating of herds of goats and woolly flocks, and a man would say asses were braying, when thou, Marcus, wouldst mimic the Arcadian herd.1 The cock's crow, the raven's throaty caw and whatever cry is uttered by beast or bird—though these thou canst imitate so naturally that no one believes them feigned, thou canst not command the sound of the human voice.

> Latin: LATRATUS catulorum, hinnitus fingis equorum,
caprigenumque pecus lanigerosque greges
habitu adsimulas; asinos quoque rudere dicas,
cum vis Arcadicum fingere, Marce, pecus,
gallorum cantus et ovantes gutture corvos
et quidquid vocum belua et ales habet,
omnia cum simules ita vere. ut ficta negentur.
non potes humanae vocis habere sonum.

[¶5] HOW can a master speak a word correctly who cannot utter his own name without mistake? “Auxilium” 2 (a help) callest thou thyself forsooth, ignorant usher? Give the nominative: straightway thou wilt be a solecism!

> Latin: EMENDATA potest quaenam vox esse magistri,
nomen qui proprium cum vitio loquitur?
auxilium te nempe vocas, inseite magister?
da rectum casum: iam solicismus eris.

[¶6] BECAUSE with purchased books thy library is crammed, dost think thyself a learned man and scholarly, Philomusus? After this sort thou will lay up strings, keys, and lyres, and, having purchased all, to-morrow thou wilt be a musician.

> Latin: EMPTIS quod libris tibi bibliotheca referta est,
doctum et grammaticum te, Philomuse, putas?
hoc genere et chordas et plectra et barbita condes:
omnia mercatus eras citharoedus eris.

[¶7] REMINISCO, 1 wrote Rufus in his verse: so then the verse—nay, Rufus—has no cor (wit).

> Latin: “reminisco” Rufus dixit in versu suo:
cor ergo versus, immo Rufus, non habet.

[¶8] THIS is a statue of Rufus the Rhetorician; nothing more life-like: 'tis the man himself, so much lacks it tongue and brain. 'Tis stiff and dumb and sees not: in these points it tallies. One single point of difference is there—he was a little softer.

> Latin: RUETORIS haec Rufi statua est: nil verius: ipse est,
ipse, adeo linguam non habet et cerebrum.
et riget et surda est et non videt: haec sibi constant;
unum dissimile est: mollior ille fuit.

[¶9] “WITH lips so fair and lips so dumb, wouldst know who I am?” “I would.” “I am a figure of Rufus the Pictavian rhetorician.” “Nay, I would have the rhetorician tell me this himself.” “He cannot.” “Why?” “The real rhetorician is an image of this image.”

> Latin: “ORE pulero, et ore muto, scire vis quae sim?” “Volo.”
“Imago Rufi rhetoris Pictavici.”
“Diceret set ipse, vellem, rhetor hoc mi.” “Non potest.”
“Cur?” “Ipse rhetor est imago imaginis.”

[¶10] “IS this a statue of Rufus the rhetorician?” “If 'tis of stone, 'tis Rufus's.” “Why sayest thou so?” “Rufus himself Mas always made of stone.” VOL. II M

> Latin: “RHETORIS haec Rufi statua est?” “Si saxea, Rufi.”
“Cur id ais?” “Semper saxeus ipse fuit.”

[¶11] WHO painted thee, Rufus, tongue-tied, in the likeness of a speaking man? Tell me, Rufus. Thou art silent? Nothing is more like you.

> Latin: ELINGUEM quis te dicentis imagine pinxit?
dic mihi, Rufe. taces? nil tibi tam simile est.

[¶12] “THIS is a picture of Rufus.” “Nothing more lifelike. Where is Rufus himself?” “In his chair.” “What is he doing?” “The same as in the picture.”

> Latin: “HAEC Rufi tabula est.” “Nil verius. ipse nbi Rufus?”
“In eathedra.” “Quid agit?” “Hoc, quod et in tabula.”

[¶13] HE MEANT TO HANG HIMSELF (FROM THE GREEK) 2 HE who was knotting a halter for his own neck, found gold and buried the halter in the treasure's place. But he who had hidden the gold, not finding it, fitted about his neck the halter which he found.

> Latin: LAQUEO VELLET SUSPENDERE ⟨ex Graeco⟩
QUI laqueum collo nectebat, repperit aurum
thesaurique loco deposuit laqueum.
at qui condiderat, postquam non repperit aurum,
aptavit collo quem repetit laqueum.

[¶14] The beginning is half the whole.3 BEGIN: to have commenced is half the deed. Half yet remains: begin again on this and thou wilt finish all.

> Latin: ἀρχὴ δέ τοι ἥμιδυ παντόσ
INCIPE: dimidium facti est coepisse, superfit
dimidium: rursum hoc incipe et efficies.

[¶15] “Favours slow-fooled are unfavoured favours.” FAVOURS which tarry meet small favour. For a favour when it hastes to be performed, is a favour more favoured.5

> Latin: ὑ χάρισ βραδύπουσ ἄχαρισ χάρισ
GRATIA, quae tarda est, ingrata est. gratia namque
cum fieri properat, gratia grata magis.

[¶16] IF thou doest aught good, do it quickly. For what is done quickly will be acceptable. Favours slow granted are unfavourably received.

> Latin: SI bene quid facias, facias, cito. nam cito factum
gratum erit. ingratum gratia tarda facit.

[¶17] AS CAPANEUS A HAPPY chance combined with a fault in skill: a tumbler, dancing the part of Capaneus, fell to the ground.1

> Latin: DECEPTAE felix casus se miscuit arti:
histrio, saltabat qui Capanea, ruit.

[¶18] Dodra 2 (“nines”) is from dodrans (nine-twelfths). Thus compound: broth, Mater. Mine, salt, oil, bread, honey, pepper, herbs: there's nine!

> Latin: DODRA ex dodrante est. sic collige: ius, aqua, vinum,
sal, oleum, panis, mel, piper, herba: novem.

[¶19] “I AM called dodra.” “Why so?” “1 am made of nine ingredients.” “What are they?” “Broth, water, honey, Mine, bread, pepper, herbs, oil, salt.”

> Latin: “DODRA vocor.” “Quae causa?” “Novem species gero.” “Quae sunt?”
“Ius. aqua. mel, vinum, panis, piper, herba, oleum. sal.”

[¶20] I, dodra, brew and number both, contain honey, wine, oil, bread, salt, herbs, broth, water, pepper.

> Latin: Δόδρα ποτὸν καὶ ἀρτθμός, ἔλω μέλι, οἶνον, ἔλαιον.
ἄρτου, ἅλας. βοτάνην, ξωμόν. ὕδωρ, πέπερι.

[¶21] “I LOVE one girl who hates me. and again another who loves me I hate. Settle the trouble between us, sweet Venus, if thou canst.” “Right easily will I: I will change thy leanings and thy loves; the one shall hate, the other love.” “Again I shall suffer the same fate.” “Wouldst love them both?” “If both should love me, I would.” “Bestow this, Mareus, on thyself: to be beloved, love.”

> Latin: “HANC amo quae me odit. contra illam quae me amat, odi.
compone inter nos, si potes, alma Venus!”
“Perfacile id faciam: mores mutabo et amores;
oderit haec, amet haec.” “Rursus idem patiar.”
“Vis ambas ut ames?” “Si diligat utraque, vellem.”
“Hoc tibi tu praesta, Marce: ut amens, ama.”

[¶22] “LO, Venus, thou hast persuaded me to love two girls, a luckless lover. Each hates me: give me another counsel now.” “Overcome both with gifts.” “Fain would I: but scant is my store at home.” “Tempt them with promises.” “A poor man has no credit.” “Swear by the gods.” “But 'twere a sin to deceive the gods.” “Keep watch before their doors.” “I fear to be caught at night.” “Write sonnets.” “I cannot, having no skill of the Muses and Apollo.” “Break down their doors.” “I fear the legal penalties.” “Fool, thou dost let thyself be killed by love: wouldst thou not die for love?” “I would rather be called poor fellow than poor prisoner.” “I have advised thee all I can: now take others' counsel.” “Tell me whose?” “Phaedra and Elissa will give the advice they gave themselves, Canace, too, and Phyllis, and she whom Phaon scorned.” “Do you give this counsel? Such is given to the unhappy!”

> Latin: “SUASISTI, Venus, ecce, duas dyseros ut amarem.
odit utraque: aliud da modo consilium.”
“Vince datis ambas.” “Cupio: verum arta domi res.”
“Pelliee promissis.” “Nulla fides inopi.”
“Antestare deos.” “Nec fas mihi fallere divos.”
“Pervigila ante fores.” “Nocte capi metuo.”
“Scribe elegos.” “Nequeo, Musarum et Apollinis expers.”
“Frange fores.” “Poenas iudicii metuo.”
“Stulte, ab amore mori pateris: non vis ob amorem?”
“Malo miser dici, quam miser atque reus.”
“Suasi, quod potui: tu alios modo consule.” “Dic quos?”
“Quod sibi suaserunt, Phaedra et Elissa dabunt,
quod Canace Phyllisque et fastidita Phaoni.” 1
“Hoc das consilium? tale datur miseris.”

[¶23] BREAK IN PIECES A HUMAN SKULL. THE bare skull of an unburied man lay cast away where three roads met—a bald thing now stripped of skin. Other men wept: by weeping all unmoved. Achilas even struck and cleft it with a stone. And so the avenging stone, glancing from the skull, flew back and caught the face and eyes of him who threw it. So may an impious hand ever aim it* deadly blows, that the weapon may rebound and smite the wielder.

> Latin: ANIECTA in triviis inhumati glabra iaccbat
testa hominis, nudum iam cute calvitium.
fleverunt alii: fletu non motus Aehilas,
insuper et silicis verbere dissicuit.
eminus ergo icto rediit lapis ultor ab osse
auctorisque sui frontem oculosque petit,
sic utinam certos manus impia dirigat ictus,
auctorem ut feriant tela retorta suum.
II

[¶24] HERE is what thou mayest read at morn, here also what at eve; I have mingled grave with gay, each to give pleasure at its season. Life wears not one hue, nor has my verse one reader only; each page has its due season; mitred Venus approves this, helmed Minerva that; the Stoic loves this part, Epicurus that. So long as the code of ancient maimers remains by me unbroken, let the grave Muse applaud at lawful jests.

> Latin: EST quod mane legas, est et quod vespere; laetis
seria miscuimus, tempore uti placeant,
non unus vitae color est nec carminis unus
lector; habet tempus pagina quaeque suum;
hoc mitrata Venus, probat hoc galeata Minerva;
Stoicus has partes, has Epicurus amat;
salva mihi veterum maneat dum regula morum,
plaudat permissis sobria musa iocis.

[¶25] PHOEBUS, thou lord of song and thou, Tritonia, queen of war, thou also, Victory, down-swooping in dizzy flight, deck with a two-fold diadem an unknitted brow 2: bring garlands, those which are gifts in peace, those which are prizes in fight. Mighty in war and eloquence, Augustus 3 doubly wins renown, so that he claims a two-fold title, since by the Muses' aid he allays wars and by Apollo's restrains the Getie Mars. 'Midst arms and Huns ferocious and Sauromatae dangerous in stealth, whatever rest he has from hours of war, in camp he lavishes it all upon the Clarian 1 Muses. Scarce has he laid aside his swift arrows, those whirring darts: 'tis to the Muses' shafts he turns his hand, repose he knows not, and setting the reed to new employ essays a song: yet 'tis a song not soft of strain; the frightful wars of Odrysian Mars and the prowess of the Thracian warrior-maid he treats anew. Rejoice, thou son of Aeacus! Thou art sung once more by a lofty bard and thou art blessed with a Roman Homer.2

> Latin: PHOEBE potens numeris, praeses Tritonia bellis,
tu quoque ab aerio praepes Victoria lapsu,
come serenatum duplici diademate frontem
serta ferens, quae dona togae, quae praemia pugnae,
bellandi fandique potens Augustus honoiem
bis meret, ut geminet titulos, qui proelia Musis
temperat et Getieum moderatur Apolline Martem.
arma inter Chunosque truces furtoque nocentes
Sauromatas, quantum cessat de tempore belli,
indulget Clariis tantum inter castra Camenis.
vix posuit volucres stridentia tela sagittas:
Musarum ad calamos fertur manus, otia nescit
et commutata meditatur arundine carmen:
sed carmen non molle modis; bella horrida Martis
Odrysii Thraessaeque viraginis arma retractat.
exulta, Aeacide: celebrans vate superbo
rursum Romanusque tibi contingit Homerus.

[¶26] THE beast which knows not how to yield when pierced with the broad steel, but hurls itself upon the gory spear of a full-armed man, how marvellous the death it surfers from a tiny wound, showing that on the hand alone death's might depends. Men wonder at swift disasters and sudden downfalls …..........and not content to drive its deadly course through the stricken limbs, a single arrow deals two deaths at once. If full many deaths come from one lightning stroke, these wounds also thou mayest deem sent from heaven.

> Latin: Cedere quae lato nescit fera saucia ferro
armatique urget tela cruenta viri,
quam grandes parvo patitur sub vulnere mortes
et solam leti vim probat esse manum!
mirantur casusque novos subitasque ruinas:
nec contenta ictos letaliter ire per artus,
coniungit mortes una sagitta duas.
plurima communi pereunt si fulminis ictu,
haec quoque de caelo vulnera missa putes.

[¶27] LORD among streams of Illyricum, next to thee in greatness, O Nile, I, Danube, from my source put forth my head in joy. I bid the Emperors hail, father and son,1 whom I have nurtured amid the sword-wearing Pannonians. As herald to the Euxine Sea even now I long to speed, that Valens, who is Heaven's next care, may learn of this—that with slaughter, flight, and fire the Swabians 2 are hurled to destruction, and Rhine no longer is accounted the frontier of Gaul. But if at the sea's behest my stream should flow backwards may I hither bring from there news that the Goths are vanquished.

> Latin: Illyricis regnator aquis, tibi, Nile, secundus
Danuvius laetum pro fero fonte caput.
salvere Augustus iubeo, natumque patremque,
armiferis alvi quos ego Pannoniis.
nuntius Euxiuo iam nunc volo currere ponto,
ut sciat hoc superum cura secunda Valens,
caede, fuga, flammis stratos periisse Suebos
nec Rhenum Gallis limitis esse loco.
quod si lege maris refluus mihi curreret amnis.
huc possem victos inde referre Gothos.

[¶28] MARBLE STATUE Now we have made thee of marble, as our means afford: but when thine Emperor-brother is returned, he thou of gold.3

> Latin: NUNC te marmoreum pro sumptu fecimus: at cum
Augustus frater remeaverit, aureus esto.

[¶29] The death which the lion suffers through so frail a reed is due, not to the weapon's power, but to the wielder's.

> Latin: GRATIANO OCCISIS EST
Quod leo tam tenui patitur sub harundine letum,
non vires ferri, sed ferientis agunt.

[¶30] OF THE EMPEROR VALENTINIAN I, DANUBE, whose head was once concealed in lands remote, now How at full length under your sway: where 'midst the Suebi I pour forth my chill source, where I divide the Pannonias pregnant with empire,1 and where with wealth of waters I open my mouth to the Scythian sea, all my streams I cause to pass beneath your Roman yoke. To Augustus shall the chief palm be given, but the next to Valens: lie too shall find out sources—even thine, O Nile.

> Latin: AUGUSTI
DANUNIUS penitis caput occultatus in oris
totus sub vestra iam dicione fluo:
qua gelidum fontem mediis effundo Suebis,
imperiis gravidas qua seco Pannonias,
et qua dives aquis Scythico solvo ostia ponto, 5
omnia sub vestrum flumina mitto iugum.
Augusto dabitur sed proxima palma Valenti:
inveniet fontes hic quoque, Nile, tuos.

[¶31] Fond painter, why dost thou essay to limn my face, and vex a goddess whom eyes never saw? I am the daughter of Air and Speech, mother of empty utterance, in that I have a voice without a mind. From their dying close I bring back failing strains and in mimicry repeat the words of strangers with my own. I am Echo, dwelling in the recesses of your ears: and if thou wouldst paint my likeness, paint sound.

> Latin: Vane, quid adfectus faciem mihi ponere, pictor,
ignotamque oculis sollicitare deam?
Aeris et Linguae sum filia, mater inanis
indicii, vocem quae sine mente gero.
extremos pereunte modos a fine reducens,
ludificata sequor verba aliena meis.
auribus in vestris habito penetrabilis Echo:
et, si vis similem pingere, pinge sonum.

[¶32] “Whose work art thou?” “Pheidias's: his who made Pallas' statue, who made Jove's: his third masterpiece am I. I am a goddess seldom found and known to few, Opportunity my name.” “Why stand'st thou on a wheel?” “I cannot stand still.” “Why wearest thou winged sandals?” “I am ever flying. The gifts which Mercury scatters at random I bestow when I will.” “Thou coverest thy face with thy hair.” “I would not be recognised.” “But—what!—art thou bald at the back of thy head?” “That none may catch me as 1 flee.” “Who is she who bears thee company?” “Let her tell thee.” “Tell me, I beg, who thou art.” “I am a goddess to whom not even Cicero himself gave a name. I am a goddess who exacts penalties for what is done and what undone, to cause repentance. So I am called Metanoea.1" " Do thou 2 now tell me what does she along with thee?” “When I have flown away she remains: she is retained by those I have passed by. Thou also whilst thou keepest asking, whilst thou tarriest with questioning wilt say that I have slipped away out of thy hands.”

> Latin: Cuius opus? Phidiae: qui signum Pallados, eius
quique Iovem fecit; tertia palma ego sum. sum
dea quae rara et paucis occasio nota.
quid rotulae insistis? stare loco nequeo,
quid talaria habes? volucris sum. Mercurius quae
fortunare solet, trado ego, cum volui,
crine tegis faciem, cognosci nolo. sed heus tu
occipiti calvo es? ne tenear fugiens,
quae tibi iuncta comes? dicat tibi. dic rogo, quae sis.
sum dea, cui nomen nec Cicero ipse dedit.
sum dea, quae factique et non facti exigo poenas,
nempe ut paeniteat, sic METANOEA vocor.
tu modo dic, quid agat tecum, quandoque volavi,
haec manet; hanc retinent, quos ego praeterii.
tu quoque dum rogitas, dum percontando moraris, 15
elapsam dices me tibi de manibus.

[¶33] I USED to say to thee: “Galla, we grow old, Time Hies away, enjoy thy life: a chaste girl is an old woman.” Thou didst scorn my warning. Age has crept upon thee unperceived, nor canst thou call back the days that are gone. Now thou art sorry and dost lament, either because then thou wert disinclined, or because now thou hast not that former beauty. Yet give me thine embrace and share forgotten joys with me. Give: I will take, albeit not what I would, yet what I once would.

> Latin: DICEBAM tibi: “Galla, senescimus; effugit aetas,
utere rene tuo: casta puella anus est.”
sprevisti. obrepsit non intellecta senectus
nec revocare potes, qui periere, dies.
nunc piget et querens, quod non aut ista voluntas
tunc fuit, aut non est nunc ea forma tibi.
da tamen amplexus oblitaque gaudia iunge
da: fruar, et si non quod volo, quod volui.

[¶34] ONCE on the strand of Sicily a sea-dog snapped up a hare speeding before the hounds. Then said the hare: “Against me both sea and land direct their ravages, perchance heaven also; since there is a Dog among the stars.”

> Latin: TRINACUM quondam currentem in litoris ora
ante canes leporem caeruleus rapuit,
at lepus: “In me omnis terrae pelagique rapina est,
forsitan et caeli; si canis astra tenet.”

[¶35] AS lazy a scribe as a sluggish runner, thou, Pergamus, didst run away and wert caught at the first lap. Therefore thou hast felt letters 1 branded, Pergamus, upon thy face, and those which thy right hand neglected thy brow endures.

> Latin: CAPTUS FUERNT
TAM segnis scriptor, quam lentus, Pergame, cursor,
fugisti et primo captus es in stadio.
ergo notas scripto tolerasti, Pergame, vultu
et quas neglexit dextera, frons patitur.

[¶36] PERGAMUS, when thou wast punished't was not just thy brow should bear the penalty which thy slow hands earned. Nay, do thou, their master, control thy errant limbs: it is unfair to torment those not really guilty. Either mark that right hand which will not make a mark, or shackle those errant feet with an iron weight.

> Latin: PERGAME, non recte punitus fronte subisti
supplicium, lentae quod meruere manus.
at tu, qui dominus, peccantia membra coherce:
iniustum falsos excruciare reos.
aut inscribe istam, quae non vult scribere, dextram,
aut profugos ferri pondere nocte pedes.

[¶37] HOAR-HEADED Myron asked Lais for an assignation, and was refused outright: he understood the cause, and dyed his white poll with black soot. In face— though not in hair—the selfsame Myron, he begged what he had begged before. But she, contrasting his features with his hair, and thinking him like, though not the same (perchance even thinking him the same, but wishing to enjoy the jest), thus addressed the artful gallant: “Fool, why askest thou what I have refused? I have already rejected thy father.”

> Latin: CANUS rogabat Laidis noctem Myron:
tulit repulsam protinus
causamque sensit et caput fuligine
fucavit atra candidum,
idemque vultu, crine non idem Myron
orabat oratum prius,
sed illa formam cum capillo comparatis
similemque, non ipsum, rata
(fortasse et ipsum, sed volens ludo frui)
sic est adorta callidum:
“Inepte, quid me, quod recusari, rogas?
patri negavi iam tuo.”

[¶38] OF Lais and Glyeera, ladies of naughty fame, whene'er my wife read in my verse, she said 1 did but play and feign strange loves in jest. Such is her confidence in my integrity.

> Latin: EIUS UXOR
LAIDAS et Glyceras, lascivae nomina famae.
coniunx in nostro carmine eum legeret,
ludere me dixit falsoque in amore iocari.
tanta illi nostra est de probitate fides.

[¶39] DEAR wife, as we have lived, so let us live and keep the names we took when first we wedded: let no day ever make us change in lapse of time; but I will be thy “Lad” still and thou wilt be my “Lass.” Though I should outlive Nestor, and thou too shouldst outstrip Deiphobe of Cumae 1 in rivalry of years, let us refuse to know the meaning of ripe age. Better to know Time's worth than count his years.

> Latin: UXOR, vivamus quod viximus, et teneamus
nomina, quae primo sumpsimus in thalamo:
nec ferat ulla dies, ut commutemur in aevo;
quin tibi sim iuvenis tuque puella mihi.
Nestore sim quamvis provectior aemulaque annis
vincas Cumauam tu quoque Deiphoben;
nos ignoremus, quid sit matura senectus.
scire aevi meritum, non numerare decet.

[¶40] WHO first compounded thee thy name, Meroe, he for Hippolytus, Theseus' son, compounded a name. For 'tis divining to make such a name as betokens lot, or character, or death. So, Protesilaus, the Fates gave thee thy name, because thou wert to be Troy's first victim.2 When men call a poet Idmon,3 a physician Iapyx,4 the names anticipate the arts they are to learn. Even so art thou Meroe, not because thou art dusky-hued as one born in Nile-washed Meroe.; but because thou never slakest wine with water, being used to drink draughts unallayed of wine, pure wine.1

> Latin: QUI primus, MEROE, nomen tibi condidit, ille
Thesidae nomen condidit Hippolyto,
nam divinare est, nomen componere, quod sit
fortunae et morum vel necis indicium.
Protesilae, tibi nomen sic fata dederunt,
victima quod Troiae prima futurus eras.
ldmona quod vatem, medicum quod Iapyga dicunt,
discendas artes nomina praeveniunt.
et tu sic Meroe, non quod sis atra colore,
ut quae Niliaea nascitur in Meroe;
infusum sed quod vinum non diluis undis,
potare imnixtum sueta merumque merum.

[¶41] AS a stone the Persians once brought me here to be a trophy of war; now am I Nemesis. And even as I stand here a trophy of Greek victory., so as Nemesis I requite the idly-boasting Persians.3

> Latin: ME lapidem quondam Persae advexere, tropaeum
ut fierem bello: nunc ego sum Nemesis.
ac sicut Graecis victoribus adsto tropaeum,
punio sic Persas vaniloquos Nemesis.

[¶42] FELL FIGHTING MOST BRAVELY 4 THAT thou receivest seven gashes all in front, that thou art borne, Thrasybulus, upon thy shield, this grieves not thy sire, but adds greater glory to Pitana.5 Rare is the opportunity of so fair a death. After thy comrades laid thee upon the mournful bier, these words did thy stout-hearted sire pronounce: “Weep ye for others: a son needs not any tears, being mine, so glorious, and a Spartan.”

> Latin: EXCIPS adverso quod pectore vulnera septem,
arma super velleris quod, Thrasybule, tua,
non dolor hic patris est, Pitanae sed gloria maior.
rarum, tam pulchro funere posse frui.
quem postquam maesto socii posuere feretro,
talia magnanimus edidit orsa pater:
“Flete alios, natus lacrimis non indiget ullis.
et meus, et talis, et Lacedaemonio.”

[¶43] A Spartan mother slinging her son's shield, “Return with this,” said she, “or upon it.”

> Latin: MAGNANIMA
MATER Lacaena clipeo obarmans filium,
“Cum hoc,” inquit, “aut in hoc redi.”

[¶44] A fellow, purse-proud and swollen-headed, high born in words alone, scorns the illustrious names of the current age, hankering after an ancient pedigree and claiming Mars, Remus, and Romulus our founder as his own special forebears. Their figures he bids be woven in his silken robes, theirs he chases on his massy plate, or paints in encaustic on his threshold and on the ceiling of his halls. True for him! For his father was not known and his mother surely is a bitch.

> Latin: QUIDAM superbus opibus et fastu tumens
tantumque verbis nobilis
spernit vigentis clara saecli nomina,
antiqua captans stemmata,
Martem Remumque et conditorem Romulum
privos parentes nuneupans.
hos ille Serum veste contexi iubet:
hos caelat argento gravi,
ceris inurens ianuarum limina
et atriorum pegmata.
credo, quod illi nec pater certus fuit
et mater est vere lupa.

[¶45] “I AM the first discoverer of the Cynic rule.” “How can that be? Men say Alcides 1 long preceded thee.” “Once 1 was second with Alcides for my master; now I am the first Cynic and he a god.”

> Latin: INVENTOR primus Cynices ego. “Quae ratio istaec
Alcides multo dicitur esse prior.”
Alcida quondam fueram doctore secundus:
nunc ego sum Cynices primus, et ille deus.

[¶46] NONE had a better pupil or a better master in virtue and the Cynic lore. He knows that I speak truth who knows each of the two. Alcides the god and Diogenes the dog (Cynic).

> Latin: DISCIPULUS melior nulli meliorve magister
εἰσ ἀρετὴν συνέβη καὶ Κυνικὴν σοφίην.
dicere me novit verum, qui novit utrumque,
καὶ θεὸν Ἀλκείδην, καὶ κύνα Διογένην.

## 2. Poems 48–112

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/ausonius-epigrams/2/#p-N

[¶0] THE sons of Ogyges 1 call me Bacchus, Egyptians think me Osiris, Mysians name me Phanaces, Indians regard me as Dionysus, Roman rites make me Liber, the Arab race thinks me Adoneus, Lucaniacus 2 the Universal God.

> Latin: OGYGIDAE 1 me Bacchum vocant,
Osirin Aegypti putant,
Mysi Phanacen nominant,
Dionyson Indi existimant,
Romana sacra Liberum,
Arabica gens Adoneum,
Lucaniacus Pantheum.

[¶1] I AM Osiris of the Egyptians, Phanaces of the Mysians, Bacchus among the living, Adoneus among the dead, Fire-born, Twy-horned, Titan-slayer. Dionysus.

> Latin: Αἰγυπιίων μὲν Ὄσιρισ ἐγώ, Μυσῶν δὲ Φανάκησ,
Βάκχοσ ἐνὶ ζωοῖσιν, ἐνὶ φθιμένοισιν Ἀδωνεύσ,
πυρογενής, δίκερως, Τυτανολέτης, Διόνυσοσ.

[¶2] AGOAT, a ram, a wallet, a shepherd with his staff, an olive-tree, all in a monolith make up lithe 3 Corydon.

> Latin: Αἲξ χίμαροσ πήδη ποιμὴν ῤαβδοῦχοσ ἐλαίη εἶσ λίθοσ ἐκ πάντων λιτὸσ ἐγὼ Κορυδών.

[¶3] I, LESBIAN Sappho, adopted sister of the Muses, am ninth of the lyrists, 5 tenth of the Aonides.

> Latin: LESBIA Pieriis Sappho soror addita Musis,
εἰμ' ἐνάτη λυρικῶν, Ἀονίδων δεκάτη.

[¶4] RISEN from the firth, received by earth, Heaven's child by birth, mother of Aeneas' line, I, kindly Venus, here do dwell.

> Latin: ORTA salo, suscepta solo, patre edita Caelo,
Aeneadum genetrix, hic habito alma Venus.

[¶5] LET the proud Orient extol its Achaemenian looms: weave in thy robes, O Greece, soft threads of gold; but let fame equally renown Ausonian Sabina who, shunning their costliness, matches their skill.

> Latin: LAUDET Achaemenias orientis gloria telas:
molle aurum pallis, Graecia, texe tuis;
non minus Ausoniam celebret dum fama Sabinam.
parcentem magnis sumptibus, arte parem.

[¶6] WHETHER thou dost admire robes woven in Tyrian looms, or lovest a motto neatly traced, my mistress with her charming skill combines the twain: one hand—Sabina's—practises these twin arts.

> Latin: SIVE probas Tyrio textam subtemine vestem
seu placet inscripti commoditas tituli.
ipsius hoc dominae concinnat utrumque venustas,
has geminas artes una Sabina colit.

[¶7] SOME weave yarn and some weave verse: these of their verse make tribute to the Muses, those of their yarn to thee, O chaste Minerva. Put I, Sabina, will not divorce mated arts, who on my own webs have inscribed my verse.

> Latin: LICIA qui texunt et carmina, carmina Musis,
licia contribuunt, casta Minerva, tibi.
ast ego rem sociam non dissociabo Sabina,
versibus inscripsi quae mea texta meis.

[¶8] HER I would have who will not, and her, who will, I would not: Venus would vanquish, not satisfy, the heart. Charms offered me I scorn, depreciate those denied: I would neither sate my heart nor torture it. Neither twice-girt Dian pleases, nor nude Cythere: the one gives no delight, the other overmuch. Be mine a mistress skilfully to display the art of attempered love, who can unite what “I would,” “I would not” mean. 3

> Latin: HANG volo, quae non vult; illam, quae vult, ego nolo:
vincere vult animos, non satiare Venus,
oblatas sperno illecebras. detrecto negatas:
nec satiare animum nec cruciare volo.
nec bis cincta Diana placet nec nuda Cythere:
illa voluptatis nil habet, haec nimium,
callida sed mediae Veneris milli venditet artem
femina, quae iungat, quod volo nolo vocant.

[¶9] CHRESTUS and Acindynus, own brothers but hapless children, bear names which belie their unhappy qualities: neither this one is “Gracious,” nor this “Riskless.” One letter can correct them both. If Chrestus should borrow alpha ("-less"), from his brother Acindynus, one will become “Risk” and his brother will be “Graceless.”

> Latin: Χρῆστος, Ἀκίνδυνος, αὐτοαδελφεοί, οἰκτρὰ δὲ, τέκνα,
moribus umbo malis nomina falsa gerunt:
οὐδ' οὗτοσ χρηδτός, οὐδ' οὗτοσ ἀκίνδυνόσ ἐδτιν.
una potest ambos littera corrigere.
αἴ κεν Χρῆδτός, ἔχῃ παρ' ἀδελφοῦ Ἀκινδύνου ἄλφα,
κίνδυνοσ hic fiet, ἄχρηδτοσ erit.

[¶10] THESE are two own brothers, Chrestus and Acindynus. Both have been wrongly named: but that both may be set right, let Acindynus give his alpha to Chrestus, himself remaining without alpha; each will be an appropriate name.

> Latin: MALE NOMEN IMPOSITUM
GERMANI fratres sunt, Chrestos, Aeindvnos alter,
falsum nomen utrique: sed ut verum sit utrique,
alpha suum Chresto det Acindynos, ipse sine alpha
permaneat: verum nomen uterque geret.

[¶11] “TRIS uno in lecto: stuprum duo perpetiuntur, et duo committunt.” “Quattuor esse reor.” “Falleris: extremis da singula crimina et illum bis numera medium, qui facit et patitur.”

> Latin: “TRIS uno in lecto: stuprum duo perpetiuntur.
et duo committunt.” “Quattuor esse reor.”
“Falleris: extremis da singula crimina et illum
bis numera medium, qui facit et patitur.”

[¶12] He who thinks he can say reminisco and speak Latin, would put cot where co is written, if he had any sense.

> Latin: EST LATINUM
QUI REMINISCO putat se dicere posse latine
hic ubi en scriptum est, faceret cor, si cor haberet.

[¶13] RUFUS the rhetorician, being once invited to a wedding—a thing oft done at crowded festivals-— to show his skill in grammar, expressed these wishes for the wedded pair: “May ye get sons of gender masculine, feminine and neuter.”

> Latin: RITUS vocatus rhetor olim ad nuptias,
celebri ut fit in convivio,
grammaticae ut artis se peritum ostenderet,
haec vota dixit nuptiis:
“Ei masculini et feminini gignite
generisque neutri filios.”

[¶14] GLAD youth verging upon thy sixteenth year already was encircling thy soft cheeks' with down, young Glaucias. And already thou hadst ceased to seem boy or maid indifferently when the day came too hurriedly and bare off all thy comeliness. Yet neither shalt thou join company with the common throng of dead, nor shalt thou, a piteous shade, dread the Stygian pools, but thou shalt go thither as Persephone's Adorns, the son of Cinyras, or thou shalt be the Ganymede of Elysian Jove.

> Latin: LAETA bis octono tibi iam sub consule pubes
cingebat teneras, Glaucia adulto, genas,
et iam desieras puer anne puella videri:
cum properata dies abstulit omne decus,
sed neque functorum socius miscebere vulgo
nec metues Stygios flebilis umbra lacus,
verum aut Persephonae Cinyreius ibis Adonis,
aut Iovis Elysii tu Catamitus eris.

[¶15] I USED to live: I became stone, and then being polished by the hand of Praxiteles, I now live again as Niobe. The artist's hand has restored me all but sense: that, when I offended gods, I had not.

> Latin: VIVEBAM: sum facta silex, quae deinde polita
Praxiteli manibus vivo iterum Niobe,
reddidit artificis manus omnia, sed sine sensu:
hunc ego, cum laesi numina, non habui.

[¶16] AT Lacedaemon Pallas saw Venus armed. “Now,” quoth she, “let us contend, even with Paris for judge.” Venus replied: “When I am armed, rash maid, dost thou despise me, seeing that when I conquered thee I was bare?”

> Latin: VENERE
ARMATAM vidit Venerem Lacedaemone Pallas.
“Nunc certemus,” ait, “iudice vel Paride.”
cui Venus: “Armatam tu me, temeraria, temnis,
quae, quo te vici tempore, nuda fui?”

[¶17] I, LAÏS, grown old, to Venus dedicate my mirror: let eternal beauty have the eternal service which befits it. But for me there is no profit in this, for to behold myself such as I am I would not, such as I was I cannot.

> Latin: LAIS anus Veneri speculum dico: dignum habeat se
aeterna aeternum forma ministerium,
at mihi nullus in hoc usus, quia cernere talem,
qualis sum, nolo. qualis eram, nequeo.

[¶18] THOSE whom thou seest springing from a triple egg, declare their ancestry doubtful on either side. These Nemesis conceived, but pregnant Leda bare them in her womb; Tyndareus to them was father and Juppiter: the one believes he is, the other knows.2

> Latin: ISTOS tergemino nasci quos cernis ab ovo,
patribus ambiguis et matribus adsere natos,
hos genuit Nemesis, sed Leda puerpura fovit:
Tyndareus pater his et Iuppiter: hic putat, hic scit.

[¶19] THE real Venus, when she saw the Cnidian Cypris, said: “Methinks, Praxiteles, thou hast seen me unclad.” “I have not seen thee, 'twould be sin: but 'tis with steel I finish every work. Steel is at the disposal of Mars Gradivus. Therefore my steel chisel has fashioned a goddess such as the Cythera whom it knew to have pleased its lord.”

> Latin: VERA Venus Gnidiam cum vidit Cyprida. dixit:
“Vidisti nudam me, puto, Praxitele.”
“Non vidi, nec fas: sed ferro opus omne polimus.
ferrum Gradivi Martis in arbitrio,
qualem igitur domino scierant placuisse Cytheren,
talem fecerunt ferrea caela deam.”

[¶20] I AM a heifer, wrought in bronze by the chisel of Myron my creator: nay, I think I was not wrought but born, so does the bull make for me, so does the heifer by my side low, so the calf athirst seeks my udders. Dost wonder that the herd mistakes me? The master of the herd himself oft reekons me with his grazing beasts.

> Latin: BUCULA sum, caelo genitoris facta Myronis
aerea: nec factam me puto, sed genitam.
sic me taurus init, sic proxima bucula mugit.
sic vitulus sitiens ubera nostra petit.
miraris, quod fallo gregem? gregis ipse magister 5
inter pascentes me numerare solet.

[¶21] WHY thrustest thou at the cold udders of a brazen dam, O calf, and seedkest milky liquid from bronze? That also would 1 supply had Heaven made me within as Myron without.

> Latin: UBERA quid pulsas frigentia matris aenae,
o vitule, et sucum lactis ab aere petis?
hunc quoque praestarem, si me pro parte parasset
exteriore Myron, interiore deus.

[¶22] DAEDALUS, why wastest thou pains in idle craft? Rather expose me with Pasiphae enclosed within. If thou wouldst offer the allurement of a real cow, Myron's shall be for thee a living image.

> Latin: DAEDALE, cur vana consumis in arte laborem?
me potius clausa subice Pasiphae.
illecebras verae si vis dare, Daedale, vaccae,
viva tibi species vacca Myronis erit.

[¶23] Myron's brazen heifer could low aloud, but fears to spoil the artist's craftsmanship. For to make me seem alive is more than to make me live; and not the works of God are wondrous, but the artist's.1

> Latin: SUI RITUM
AEREA mugitum poterat dare vacca Myronis:
sed timet artificis deterere ingenium,
fingere nam similem vivae, quam vivere, plus est:
nec sunt facta dei mira, sed artificis.

[¶24] I had stood here a brazen heifer; a cow was slaughtered to Minerva; but the goddess transferred to me the life breathed forth. And now I am twofold: part is brazen, part alive. This is ascribed to the artist's skill, that to the goddess.

> Latin: AEREA bos steteram; mactata est vacca Minervae;
sed dea proflatam transtulit huc animam,
et modo sum duplex: pars aerea, pars animata.
haec manus artificis dicitur, illa deae.

[¶25] WHY seekest thou to make for me, lord of the herd, beguiled by appearance? I am no contrivance of Pasiphae, Minos' wife.

> Latin: Quid me, taure, paras specie deeeptus inire?
non sum ego Minoae maehina Pasiphaae.

[¶26] ERE the sinking sun was set, evening now drawing on, the neatherd, while he drove his heifers home, left one of his own and chid me as though one of his.

> Latin: NECDUM caduco sole, iam sub vespere,
ageret iuveneas cum domum pastor suas.
suam relinquens me monebat ut suam.

[¶27] A NEATHERD chanced to have lost a single heifer, and, bidden to deliver up the tale, complained that I was missing because I would not follow the others home.

> Latin: UNAM iuvencam pastor forte amiserat,
numerumque iussus reddere
me defuisse conquerebatur, sequi
quae noluissem ceteras.

[¶28] AT VALLEBANA 1 (a thing strange and scarce credible in a poet, but which is taken from a truthful tale) a male bird changed into female form, and an erstwhile peacock stood a peahen before men's eyes. All marvelled at the portent; but a girl softer than any lamb spake thus with maiden voice: “Fools, why so amazed to see a thing strange yet not unknown? Or do ye not read Naso's verse? Consus, old Saturn's son, changed Caenis to a boy and Tiresias was not always of one sex. The fount Salmacis saw Hermaphro'ditus the half-man 2: Pliny 3 saw a man-woman in the act. Nor is the tale yet old that in Campanian Beneventum a certain lad suddenly became a maid. Vet I would not cite you instances of old report: lo, I was changed from boy to girl.”

> Latin: VALLEBANAE (nova res et vix credenda poctis.
sed quae de vera promitur historia)
femineam in speciem convertit masculus ales
pavaque de pavo constitit ante oculos,
cuncti admirantur monstrum: sed mollior agna
⟨talia virginea voce puella refert:1⟩
“Quid stolidi ad speciem notae novitatis hebeti?
an vos Nasonis carmina non legitis?
Caenida convertit proles Saturnia Consus
ambiguoque fuit corpore Tiresias.
vidit semivirum fons Salmacis Hermaphroditum
vidit nubentem Plinius Androgynum.
nec satis antiquum, quod Campana in Benevento
unus epheborum virgo repente fuit.
nolo tamen veteris documenta arcessere famae.
ecce ego sum factus femina de puero.”

[¶29] “PYTHAGORAS, Euphorbus' son, thou who dost renew the seeds of nature and to fresh bodies dost assign souls brought back to earth, say, what will Mareus be who has now felt fate's final stroke, if he return again to live in our air?” “Who is Marcus?” “One lately known as seducer and kidnapper, who has debauched the entire sex, an unnatural scoundrel, or, as the bard Lucilius says, a pilfering paederast.” “No bull, no mule, no hippocamel shall he be, no goat or ram, but he shall be a scarabaeus.” 1

> Latin: “Pythagora Euphorbi, reparas qui semina rerum
corporibusque novis das reduces animas,
dic, quid erit Marcus iam fata novissima functus,
si redeat vitam rursus in aeriam?”
“Quis Marcus? " " Feles nuper pullaria dictus,
corrupit totum qui puerile secus,
perversae Veneris postico vulnere fossor,
Lucili vatis subpilo pullipremo.”
“Non taurus, non mulus erit, non hippocamelus,
non caper aut aries, sed scarabaeus erit.”

[¶30] Lambere cum vellet mediorum membra virorum Castor nec posset vulgus habere domi, repperit, ut nullum fellator perderet inguen: uxoris coepit lingere membra suae.

> Latin: LAMBERE cum vellet mediorum membra virorum
Castor nec posset vulgus habere domi,
repperit, ut nullum fellator perderet inguen:
uxoris coepit lingere membra suae.

[¶31] PRAETER legitimi genialia foedera coetus repperit obscenas veneres vitiosa libido: Herculis heredi quam Lemnia suasit egestas, quam toga facundi scaenis agitavit Afrani et quam Nolanis capitalis luxus inussit. Crispa tamen cunetas exercet corpore in uno: deglubit, fellat, molitur per utramque cavernam, ne quid inexpertum frustra moritura relinquat.

> Latin: PRAETER legitimi genialia foedera coetus
repperit obscenas veneres vitiosa libido:
Herculis heredi quam Lemnia suasit egestas,
quam toga facundi scaenis agitavit Afrani
et quam Nolanis capitalis luxus inussit.
Crispa tamen cunetas exercet corpore in uno:
deglubit, fellat, molitur per utramque cavernam,
ne quid inexpertum frustra moritura relinquat.

[¶32] WHEN Marcus was sick, Diodorus the soothsayer told him that no more than six days of life remained. But the doctor, Alcon, more potent than the gods and fates, straightway proved the divination false and touched his patient's hand who might have lived had he not touched; for straightway Marcus' six days came to an end.

> Latin: LANGUENTI Marco dixit Diodorus haruspex
ad vitam non plus sex superesse dies.
sed medicus divis fatisque potentior Alcon
falsum convicit illico haruspicium
tractavitque manum victuri, ni tetigisset;
illico nam Marco sex periere dies.

[¶33] YESTERDAY Alcon touched Jove's statue. He, though of marble, felt the doctor's influence. To-day, Io, he is being carried off, bidden to be removed from his ancient place, for all he is a god and made of stone.

> Latin: ALCON hesterno signum Iovis attigit, ille
quamvis marmoreus vim patitur medici.
ecce hodie iussus transferri e sede vetusta
effertur. quamvis sit deus atque lapis.

[¶34] EUNUS, why dost thou seek to win Phyllis, the scent-seller? Diceris hanc mediam lambere, non moiere. Look that the names of her wares do not deceive thee, or that thou beest not deceived by the scent of Seplasia,1 while you think rank and fragrant smell alike and that spikenard and stockfish have the same savour.

> Latin: EUNE, quid adfectus vendentem Phyllida odores?
dicetis hanc mediam lambere, non molere.
perspice, ne mercis fallant te nomina, vel ne
aere Seplasiae decipiare cave,
dum κύσθον κόστον que putas communis odoris
el nardium ac sardas esse sapore pari.

[¶35] UNHAPPY Eunus tastes and smells things much unlike: his nose has one sense, his tongue another.

> Latin: Diversa infelix et lambit et olfacit Eunus:
dissimilem olfactum naris et oris habet.

[¶36] SMELL NEITHER SWEET NOR RANK PICKLES are one thing, balsam another: away with scents! Neither to smell rank nor to smell sweet pleases me.

> Latin: BENE NEC MALE OLERE
SALGAMA non hoc sunt, quod balsama: cedite odores,
nec male olere mihi, nec bene olere placet.

[¶37] LAIS, Eros, and Itys. Chiron and Eros, Itys again, these names write down and take their initials, that thou mayest form a word describing what thou dost, schoolmaster Eunus. To name the infamy in Latin becomes me not.

> Latin: LAIS Eros et Itys, Chiron et Eros, Itys alter
nomina si scribis, prima elementa adime.
ut facias verbum, quod tu facis, Eune magister,
dicere me Latium non decet opprobrium.

[¶38] EUNE, quod uxoris gravidae putria inguina Iambis, festinas glossas non natis tradere natis.

> Latin: LAMBEBAT
EUNE, quod uxoris gravidae putria inguina lambis,
festinas glossas non natis tradere natis.

[¶39] EUNUS Syriscus, inguinum ligurritor. opicus magister (sic enim docet Phyllis) muliebre membrum quadrangulum cernit: triquetro coacto.Δ. litteram ducit, de valle femorum altrinsecus pares rugas mediumque, fissi rima qua patet, callem.Ψ. dicit esse: nam trifissilis forma est. cui ipse linguam cum dedit suam..Λ. est: veramque in illis esse.Φ. notam sentit, quid, imperite,.P. putas ibi scriptum, ubi locare.1. convenit longum? miselle doctor,.S. tibi sit obsceno, tuumque nomen.Θ. sectilis signet.

> Latin: EUNUS Syriscus, inguinum ligurritor.
opicus magister (sic eum docet Phyllis)
muliebre membrum quadrangulum cernit:
triquetro coactu.Δ. litteram ducit.
de valle femorum altrinsecus pares rugas
mediumque, fissi rima qua patet, callem.Ψ. dicit esse: nam trifissilis forma est.
cui ipse linguam cum dedit suam,.Λ. est:
veramque in illis esse.Φ. notam.sentit.
quid, imperite, P. putas ibi scriptum,
ubi locari.I. convenit longum?
miselle doctor, 8. tibi sit obsceno,
tuumque nomen.Θ. sectilis signet.

[¶40] SOME say that thou art deformed, Crispa: that I know not: for me thou art fair, 'tis enough since Ι am judge. Nay more, I long—for jealousy is yoked with love—that thou mayest seem to others ugly, comely to me alone.

> Latin: DEFORMEM quidam te dicunt, Crispa: ego istud
nescio: mi pulchra es, iudice me satis est.
quin etiam cupio, iunctus quia zelus amori est.
ut videare aliis foeda, deeora mihi.

[¶41] FAIN would I have such a mistress as may lightly start a quarrel, nor be careful to speak as if an honest woman: pretty, saucy, hasty of hand, one to take blows and return them, and, if beaten, to take refuge in kisses. For if she be not of this character, but live chaste, subdued, shamefastly—I shudder to say it—she will be a wife.

> Latin: SIT milli talis amica velim,
iurgia quae temere incipiat,
nec student quasi casta loqui:
pulcra procax petulante manu,
verbera quae ferat et regerat
caesaque ad oscula confugiat.
nam nisi moribus his fuerit,
casta modesta pudenter agens,
dicere abominor, uxor erit.

[¶42] THIS thing which they call love bring to an end or spread evenly, Cupid: either burn neither with thy flame or burn both.

> Latin: Hoc, quod amare vocant, solve aut misceto. Cupido:
aut neutrum flammis ure vel ure duo.

[¶43] EITHER put out this fire wherein I burn, sweet Dione, or bid it pass over from me, or make it equal on both sides.

> Latin: Aut restingue ignem, quo torreor, alma Dione,
aut transire iube: vel fac utrimque parem.

[¶44] A LAWYER who had a faithless wife approved of the Papian statute1 but disapproved of the Julian.2 Do ye ask why this difference? Effeminate himself, tearing the Scantinian, 3 he feared not the Titian Law.4

> Latin: ADULTERAM
Iuris consulto, cui vivit adultera coniunx,
paria a lex placuit, iulia displicuit,
quaeritis, unde haec sit distantia? seemivir ipse
scantin iam metuens non metuit titiam.

[¶45] INGUINA quod calido levas tibi dropace, causa est: irritant volsas levia membra lupas. sed quod et elixo plantaria podiee vellis et teris incusas pumice Clazomenas, causa latet: bimarem nisi quod patientia morbum adpetit et tergo femina, pube vir es.

> Latin: Inguina quod calido levas tibi dropace, causa est:
irritant volsas levia membra lupas.
sed quod et elixo plantaria podice vellis
et teris incusas pumice Clazomenas,
causa latet: bimarem nisi quod patientia morbum
adpetit et tergo femina, pube vir es.

[¶46] EFFEMINATE thyself, Zoïlus, thou hast wedded an unchaste wife: how great a profit will ye twain earn at home, when thy debaucher pays thy wife, and her lover thee, the fees of shame! But lust, which now seems to you profitable, will soon, as age creeps on, cause loss: lovers will begin to sell you their services for pay, whom prostituted youth now makes your customers.

> Latin: SEMIVIR uxorem duxisti, Zoile, moecham:
o quantus fiet quaestus utrimque domi,
cum dabit uxori molitor tuus et tibi adulter,
quantum deprensi damna pudoris ement!
sed modo quae vobis lucrosa libido videtur,
iacturam senio mox subeunte feret:
incipient operas conducti vendere moechi,
quos modo munificos lena iuventa tenet.

[¶47] HYLAS, the boxer, with Phegeus, skilled in wrestling, and Lyeus, famous on the Olympian track, asked Ammon at his Libyan shrine 1 whether they; all would win at the approaching games. Put the god (so wise was he) replied: “if Victory shall be assured you, if only ye take heed that none excel Hylas with the gloves, Phegeus in clinching, and thee, Lycus, in speed of foot.”

> Latin: Doctus Hylas caestu, Phegeus catus arte palaestrae,
clarus Olympiacis et Lycus in stadiis,
an possent omnes venturo vincere agone,
Hammonem Libyae consuluere deum.
sed deus, ut sapiens: “Dabitur victoria vobis
indubitata equidem, si caveatis” ait,
“ne quis Hylam eaestu, ne quis certamine luctae
Phegea, ne cursu te, Lyce, praetereat.”

[¶48] A CRIMSON girdle bound Hermione's swelling breasts: and on the girdle this couplet was embrodered: “Thou who dost read this inscription, know that the Paphian commands thee to love me, and by thy conduct to forbid none to love.”

> Latin: PUNICA turgentes redimibat zona papillas
Hermiones: zonae textum elegeon erat:
“Qui legis hunc titulum, Paphie tibi mandat, ames me
exemploque tuo neminem amare vetes.”

[¶49] BEHOLD with how sweet and proud a death is fair Hylas blessed, tasting of joys that bring destruction! Doomed to perish amid kisses and fatal love, 'twere hard to say whether Naiads or Eumenides so afflict him.

> Latin: ADSPICE, quam blandae neeis ambitione fruatur
letifera experiens gaudia pulcher Hylas.
oscula et infestos inter moriturus amores
ancipites patitur Naidas Eumenidas.

[¶50] YE rave, ye wanton Nymphs, with love as cruel as 'tis fruitless. That lad shall be a flower.

> Latin: FURTTIS proeaees Naides amore saevo et irrito:
ephebus iste flos erit.

[¶51] WERT thou to desire another, Narcissus, then mightest thou win him. Of love thou hast abundance; 'tis the enjoyment fails.

> Latin: Si cuperes alium, posses. Narcisso, potiri,
nunc tibi amoris adest copia, fructus abest.

[¶52] WHAT would a lover not surfer through the beauty of this youth who thus pines away for his own reflection?

> Latin: QUID non ex huius forma pateretur amator,
ipse suam qui sic deperit effigiem?

[¶53] ALONG with thee, Narcissus, dies resounding Echo, her spirit passing with the last tones of thy voice: both while thou wert pining away, thy sighs she has hitherto answered with her plaints, and now also when she loves the latest words of thy voice.

> Latin: COMMORITUR, Narcisse, tibi resonabilis Echo,
vocis ad extremos exanimata modos:
et pereuntis adhuc gemitum resecuta querellis.
ultima nunc etiam verba loquentis amat.

[¶54] BY Mercury begotten, conceived by Cythera, Hermaphroditus, compound alike in name and frame, combining either sex, complete in neither, neutral in love, unable to enjoy either passion.

> Latin: MERCURIO genitore satus, genetrice Cythere.
nominis ut mixti, sic corporis Hermaphroditus.
concretus sexu, sed non perfectus, utroque:
ambiguae Veneris, neutro potiendns amori.

[¶55] THE nymph Salmacis grew one with the mate she desired. Ah, happy maid, if she is conscious of a man's embrace. And twice happy thou, O youth, united with a lovely bride, if one being may still be two.

> Latin: HERMAPHRODTTO
SALMACIS optato concreta est nympha marito.
felix virgo, sibi si scit inesse virum:
et tu formosae, iuvenis, permixte puellae
bis felix, unum si licet esse duos.

[¶56] PUT by thy bow, Paean, and hide thy swift arrows: not thee the maid flees, but fears thy shafts.

> Latin: PONE arcum, Paean, celeresque reconde sagittas:
non te virgo fugit, sed tua tela timet.

[¶57] TOO envious bark, why hastest thou to overlap the maid? Laurel is Phoebus' due, if the damsel is denied.

> Latin: INVIDE, cur properas. cortex, operire puellam:
laurea debetur Phoebo, si virgo negatur.

[¶58] WHOE'ER has seen Polygiton in a tub at the baths chafing the caked and rotting ulcers on his limbs, ranks such a sight above every comic show. First, he makes the air ring with his quavering howls, yells words suggestive of a brothel and sounds the full gamut of impurity. Next, he whirls his arms like a Maenad possessed by some spirit, while the itch strays at random, now in this part now in that, over his breast, legs, flanks, belly, thighs, loins and calves, his back, neck, shoulders, and his hinder parts. At length he droops with the heat of his scalding bath, and kind exhaustion makes him relax in a death-like swoon. Just as they say that men emasculate, when vain desire attacks them, exhaust themselves without fruition, mocked by pleasure unachieved; even so Polygiton relaxes his nerveless limbs. And, since at the last he must expiate his life, let him now make ready for the waters of Phlegethon.

> Latin: THERMARUM in solio si quis Polygitona vidit
ulcera membrorum scabie putrefacta foventem,
praeposuit cunctis spectacula talia ludis.
Principio tremulis gannitibus aera pulsat
verbaque lascivos meretricum imitantia coetus
vibrat et obscenae numeros pruriginis implet.
brachia deinde rotat velut enthea daemone Maenas;
pectus, crura, latus, ventrem, femora, inguina, suras,
tergum, colla, umeros, luteae Symplegadis antrum.
tam diversa locis vaga earnificina pererrat,
donec marcentem calidi fervore lavacri
blandus letali solvat dulcedine morbus.
desectos sic fama viros, ubi cassa libido
femineos coetus et non sua bella lacessiti
irrita vexato consumere gaudia lecto,
titillata brevi cum iam sub fine voluptas
fervet et ingesto peragit ludibria morsu:
torpida non aliter Polygiton membra rescivit.
et, quia debentur suprema piacula vitae,
ad Phlegethonteas sese iam praeparet undas.

[¶59] THAT Silvius “Good” who attacks my verse, has the more fully earned my lampoon, being a good Briton.1

> Latin: SILVIUS ille Bonus, qui carmina nostra Incessit,
nostra magis meruit disticha, Brito bonus.

[¶60] “THIS is Silvius 'Good.'” “Who is Silvius?” “He is a Briton.” “Either this Silvius is no Briton, or he is Silvius ' Bad.' ”

> Latin: SILVIUS hic Bonus est. “Quis Sibilis?” Iste Britannus.
“Aut Brito hic non est Silvius, aut malus est.”

[¶61] SILVIUS is called Good and called a Briton: who would believe a good citizen had sunk so low?

> Latin: SILVIUS esse Bonus fertur ferturque Britannus:
quis credat civem degenerasse bonum?

[¶62] NO good man is a Briton. If he should begin to be plain Silvius, let the plain man cease to be good.

> Latin: NEMO bonus Brito est. si simplex Silvius esse
incipiat, simplex desinat esse bonus.

[¶63] THIS is Silvius Good, but the same Silvius is a Briton: a plainer thing—believe me—is a bad Briton.

> Latin: SILVIUS hic Bonus est, sed Brito est Silvius idem:
simplicior res est, credite, Brito malus.

[¶64] THOU Silvius art Good, a Briton: yet 'tis said thou art no good man, nor can a Briton link himself with Good.

> Latin: SILVI, Brito Bonus: quamvis homo non bonus esse
fertis nec <se quit> iungere Brito Bono.