| from "SATIRE 7" | from "THE HOPES AND MOTIVES OF OUR STUDIES REST ..." |
| Juvenal (Decimus Junius Juvenalis) | trans. John Quincy Adams |
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Et spes et ratio studiorum in Caesare tantum; solus enim tristes hac tempestate Camenas respexit, cum iam celebres notique poetae balneolum Gabiis, Romae conducere furios temptarent, nec foedum alii nec turpe putarent praecones fieri, cum desertis Aganippes uallibus esuriens migraret in atria Clio. nam si Pieria quadrans tibi nullus in umbra ostendatur, ames nomen uictumque Machaerae et uendas potius commissa quod auctio uendit stantibus, oenophorum, tripedes, armaria, cistas, Alcithoen Pacci, Thebas et Terea Fausti. hoc satius quam si dicas sub iudice 'uidi' quod non uidisti; faciant equites Asiani, quamquam et Cappadoces faciant equitesque Bithyni altera quos nudo traducit gallica talo. nemo tamen studiis indignum ferre laborem cogetur posthac, nectit quicumque canoris eloquium uocale modis laurumque momordit. hoc agite, o iuuenes. circumspicit et stimulat uos materiamque sibi ducis indulgentia quaerit. si qua aliunde putas rerum expectanda tuarum praesidia atque ideo croceae membrana tabellae impletur, lignorum aliquid posce ocius et quae componi dona Veneris, Telesine, marito, aut clude et positos tinea pertunde libellos. frange miser calamum uigilataque proelia dele, qui facis in parua sublimia carmina cella, ut dignus uenias hederi et imagine macra. spes nulla ulterior; didicit iam diues auarus tantum admirari, tantum laudare disertos, ut pueri Iunonis auem. sed defluit aetas et pelagi patiens et cassidis atque ligonis. taedia tunc subeunt animos, tunc seque suamque Terpsichoren odit facunda et nuda senectus. ........... ........... |
The hopes and motives of our studies rest Alone henceforth in Caesar's liberal breast; He, in these dismal days, he only views With smiles of kindness the afflicted Muse; Whose darling votaries compelled for bread The meanest steps of drudgery must tread: For Gabian baths, for pastry cooks at Rome, To cleave the fuel, is of some the doom: Some grasp with rapture at the lot severe, To wield the hammer of an auctioneer; While Clio forced from Pindus to retreat Starves in attendance on the drowsy great. Yet - if Pieria's fountains all are dry, Nor Nature's first, resistless wants supply, Justly you hold it less flagitious shame To barter Famine for Machaera's name; At public auctions your address display, Trunks, tables, tatters - trash, to put away, Plays innocent of wit, and verse in prose, Than under oath with lying lips depose. Thus though Bithynians and Galatians do, Outcasts from home, with neither shirt nor shoe, Who now enjoy in native Virtue's spite The wealth and honours of the Roman knight. Yet, shall in fuure none to whom belong The tuneful powers and eloquence of song, Whose lofty brows immortal laurel binds Need stoop to toils unworthy of their minds - Brave youths - proceed - with Caesar's fond regard, Whose bounty thirsts for objects to reward. But for the wit your tablets can supply On other patrons did your souls rely? - Collect your faggots, heap sublime the pyre, Give all your verses to the God of fire; Or clos'd in coffers from the blush of day, Let worms in darkness on your genius prey. ........... ........... |
Publ. Penguin Classics