| ODES - I.2 | ODES - I.2 |
| Horace (Q. Horatius Flaccus) | trans. Humphrey Clucas |
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Iam satis terris niuis atque dirae grandinis misit Pater et rubente dextera sacras iaculatus arces ........terruit Vrbem, terruit gentis, graue ne rediret saeculum Pyrrhae noua monstra questae, omne cum Proteus pecus egit altos ........uisere montis, piscium et summa genus haesit ulmo, nota quae sedes fuerat columbis, et superiecto pauidae natarunt ........aequore dammae. Vidimus flauom Tiberim retortis litore Etrusco uiolenter undis ire deiectum monumenta regis ........templaque Vestae, Iliae dum se nimium querenti iactat ultorem, uagus et sinistra labitur ripa Ioue non probante ........uxorius amnis. Audiet ciuis acuisse ferrum, quo graues Persae melius perirent, audiet pugnas uitio parentum ........rara iuuentus. Quem uocet diuum populus ruentis imperi rebus? Prece qua fatigent uirgines sanctae minus audientem ........carmina Vestam? Cui dabit partis scelus expiandi Iuppiter? Tandem uenias precamur, nube candentis umeros amictus, ........augur Apollo, siue tu mauis, Erycina ridens, quam Iocus circumuolat et Cupido, siue neglectum genus et nepotes ........respicis, auctor, heu nimis longo satiate ludo, quem iuuat clamor galeaeque leues, acer et Mauri peditis cruentum ........uoltus in hostem, siue mutata iuuenem figura ales in terris imitaris, almae filius Maiae, patiens uocari ........Caesaris ultor. Serus in caelum redeas diuque laetus intersis populo Quirini, neue te nostris nitiis iniquum ........ocior aura tollat; hic magnos potius triumphos, hic ames dici pater atque princeps, neu sinas Medos equitare inultos ........te duce, Caesar. |
Already Jupiter's sent us enough Portentous snows and hailstorms, striking The sacred hills with a red right hand, ........Frightening the city, Frightening the people, so that they look For the terrible age of Pyrrha, who gasped At marvels, Proteus driving his sea - ........Herds to the mountains, Fish upon fish trapped in the elm-tops - Till then the accustomed haunt of doves - And deer, floundering, terror-struck, through ........Limitless waters. We saw the ochrous Tiber, waves Violently flung from the Tuscan shore, Engulfing Numa's monument, Vesta's ........Circular temple, Showing himself - uxorious river - Ardent to right his Ilia's wrongs, Far over his left bank, ignoring ........Jupiter's orders. The young, few through the sins of parents, Shall hear how Roman turned his sword Against Roman - better used in dealing ........Death to the Persians. Which of the gods shall the people call To assist our failing empire? What prayer Can the Virgins make to Vesta, who turns ........Deaf to entreaty? Whose is the task assigned by Jove To atone this guilt? Come to us soon, Your bright shoulders veiled in cloud, ........Delphic Apollo, Or you, the glad goddess of Eryx, Desire and Mirth fluttering round you; Or you, great Parent, if you can care ........Still for your people, Sated at last with the sad game Of warfare, the battle-shouts, the flashing Helmets, the Moors, unhorsed, threatening ........Blood-spattered legions. Or you, child of propitious Maia, Shedding your wings, taking on earth A human shape, and bearing the name of ........Caesar's avenger. May you return late to the heavens, Remain long with Romulus' sons. May no untimely wind uplift you, ........Tired of our troubles. Enjoy on earth your glorious triumphs, The names of Prince, and Father; the Medes Shall never attack unscathed, while you, ........Caesar, direct us. |
Transl. Copyright © Humphrey Clucas 2004