Quam si clientum longa negotia
Diiudicata lite relinqueret, .

Tendens Venafranos in agros
Aut Lacedaemonium Tarentum.

VI.

PIETAS, CASTITAS.

1. Outline of the Poem :

a) Restore, O Roman, the crumbling shrines and statues of the gods; all that thou art thou owest to the gods; their neglect

has already brought upon Hesperia many woes, - from Parthian, Dacian, and Numidian, 1–16;

b) From the family and the home threaten the greatest dangers. Our women are no longer pure, 17–32;

c) Not of such parentage were the warriors who in former days dyed the waves with Punic blood and crushed Antiochus and Hannibal, 33-44;

d) Alas the ravages of time! As we are less worthy than our sires, so our offspring promise to be more degenerate than we, 45–48.

2. Time: Probably about 27 B.C.

3. Metre Alcaic. Introd. § 43.

Delicta maiorum immeritus lues,
Romane, donec templa refeceris
Aedisque labentis deorum et

Foeda nigro simulacra fumo.

Dis te minorem quod geris, imperas :
Hinc omne principium; huc refer exitum.
Di multa neclecti dederunt
Hesperiae mala luctuosae.

Iam bis Monaeses et Pacori manus
Non auspicatos contudit impetus
Nostros et adiecisse praedam

Torquibus exiguis renidet.

10

15

Paene occupatam seditionibus
Delevit urbem Dacus et Aethiops,

Hic classe formidatus, ille

Missilibus melior sagittis.

Fecunda culpae saecula nuptias

Primum inquinavere et genus et domos:
Hoc fonte derivata clades

In patriam populumque fluxit.

Motus doceri gaudet Ionicos
Matura virgo et fingitur artibus

Iam nunc et incestos amores

De tenero meditatur ungui.

Mox iuniores quaerit adulteros
Inter mariti vina, neque eligit
Cui donet impermissa raptim
Gaudia luminibus remotis,

Sed iussa coram non sine conscio
Surgit marito, seu vocat institor
Seu navis Hispanae magister,
Dedecorum pretiosus emptor.

Non his iuventus orta parentibus
Infecit aequor sanguine Punico
Pyrrhumque et ingentem cecidit
Antiochum Hannibalemque dirum;

Sed rusticorum mascula militum
Proles, Sabellis docta ligonibus
Versare glaebas et severae

Matris ad arbitrium recisos

a) Weep not, Asterie ! With spring's first zephyrs thy lover will be back again, 1–5;

b) Meanwhile he longs for thee, and yields not to the arts of those who plot to steal his love, 5-22;

c) But do thou thyself have a care lest thy affection be won by thy neighbor, Enipeus; mighty he is in prowess; but yield not to his advances, 22–32.

2. Time: Uncertain; not later than 23 B.C.

3. Metre: Fourth Asclepiadean. Introd. § 48.

Quid fles, Asterie, quem tibi candidi
Primo restituent vere Favonii
Thyna merce beatum,

Constantis iuvenem fide,

Gygen?

Ille Notis actus ad Oricum

Post insana Caprae sidera frigidas

Noctes non sine multis

5

Insomnis lacrimis agit.

Atqui sollicitae nuntius hospitae,
Suspirare Chloen et miseram tuis
Dicens ignibus uri,

Temptat mille vafer modis.

Ut Proetum mulier perfida credulum
Falsis impulerit criminibus nimis
Casto Bellerophontae

Maturare necem refert;

Narrat paene datum Pelea Tartaro,

Magnessam Hippolyten dum fugit abstinens;

Et peccare docentis

Fallax historias movet.

Frustra: nam scopulis surdior Icari

Voces audit adhuc integer. At tibi
Ne vicinus Enīpeus

Plus iusto placeat cave;

Quamvis non alius flectere equom sciens

Aeque conspicitur gramine Martio,

Nec quisquam citus aeque

Tusco denatat alveo.

Prima nocte domum claude neque in vias

Sub cantu querulae despice tibiae,

Et te saepe vocanti

Duram difficilis mane.

25

30

VIII.

A GLAD ANNIVERSARY.

1. Outline of the Poem:

a) What mean my flowers and offerings? 'Tis in commemoration of my escape from the falling tree, 1-8;

b) This anniversary shall ever be the signal for good cheer, 9-12; c) Share thou my celebration, O Maecenas! Leave meanwhile the cares of state! Naught threatens from without; our foes are quelled; enjoy the passing hour! 13-28.

2. Time: 29 B.C.

3. Metre Sapphic and Adonic. Introd. § 44.