Aulus Persius Flaccus (24-62 CE)

 

Translation by Moravius Piscinus

 

Satura II. 8-12: “Give a sound mind, a fair name,” such prayers a man utters aloud in earshot of strangers, the rest he mutters beneath his breath, “Oh if only my uncle would drop dead, what a fine funeral I could give him.” Or else he says, “Oh, if only Hercules would favor me by making an urn filled with silver rattle beneath my hoe.”

 

“Mens bona; fama fides” haec clare et ut audiat hospes. / illa sibi introrsum et sub lingua murmurat: “O si / ebulliat patruus, praeclarum funus!” et “O si / sub rastro crepet argenti mihi seria dextro  / Hercule.”

 

Satura II 45: Lusting for wealth you slay an ox and call to Mercury, “Grant that my Penates may fortunately prosper. Grant that my flocks and herds may be fertile.”

 

Da fortunare penates; da pecus et gregibus fetum.

 

Satura III 35-38: O Mighty Father of the Gods, may it be your will to punish those cruel tyrants who are moved by an impetuous character steeped in dread desires, that they may look upon Virtue and melt away because they have abandoned Her.

 

Magne pater divum, saevos punire tyrannos / haut alia ratione velis, cum dira libido / moverit ingenium ferventi tincta veneno / Virtutem videant intabescantque relicta.

 

Satura IV. 34-5: Speak forthwith, You Maiden Nymphs of Pierides, and may it benefit me that I have called You maidens.

 

Narrate, puellae / Pierides, prosit mihi vos dixisse puellas

 

Satura VII 207-8: Grant, O Gods, that the earth may lie soft and gently upon the shades of our ancestors, and may their urns be filled with a perpetual springtime blooming with the sweet scents of crocus.

 

Di, maiorum umbris tenuem et sine pondere terram spirantisque crocos et in urna perpetuum ver.

 

Satura X. 185: Grant me long life, O Jupiter, give me many years.

 

Da spatium vitae, mutos da, Juppiter, annos.