| Invisvs natalis adest, qui rure molesto | My dreaded birthday is looming, and I've got to spend it
| et sine Cerintho tristis agendus erit. | There in the odious country without Cerinthus.
| dulcius urbe quid est? an villa sit apta puellae | What is more agreeable than the city? Is a country estate
| atque Arretino frigidus amnis agro? | A fit place for a girl or the fields
| iam, nimium Messalla mei studiose, quiescas: | By the cold river Arno? Stop fussing about me
| non tempestivae saepe, propinque, viae. | Messala, my kinsman, you're much too ready
| hic animum sensusque meos abducta relinquo, | To take me on an unnecessary journey.
| arbitrio quam vis non sinit esse meo. | Carried hence - I leave my soul and my senses behind
| As I cannot exercise my own free will.
| Scis iter ex animo sublatum triste puellae? |
Don't you know that the burden of an unnecessary journey
| natali Romae iam licet esse suo. |
Is lifted from your poor girl's heart?
| Omnibus ille dies nobis natalis agatur, |
I can be at Rome, it now seems, for my birthday -
| qui nec opinanti nunc tibi forte venit. |
This comes to you by an unexpected stroke of luck.
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...buy this book