§2.7.1‘Iamdudum ausculto et cupiens tibi dicere servos §2.7.2pauca reformido. ’ ‘Davusne?’ ‘ita, Davus, amicum §2.7.3mancipium domino et frugi quod sit satis, hoc est, §2.7.4ut vitale putes. ’ ‘age libertate Decembri, §2.7.5quando ita maiores voluerunt, utere: narra. ’ §2.7.6‘pars hominum vitiis gaudet constanter et urget §2.7.7propositum; pars multa natat, modo recta capessens, §2.7.8interdum pravis obnoxia.
'I have been listening for a long time, and wishing to say a few words to you, but as a slave I dread to do so.' 'Is that Davus?' 'Yes, Davus, a slave friendly to his master and honest enough—that is, so that you would think him long-lived.' 'Come, use the December freedom, since our ancestors so wished it: speak.' 'A part of mankind constantly delights in their vices and pursues their purpose; a large part wavers, now grasping what is right, sometimes subject to what is evil.
saepe notatus §2.7.9cum tribus anellis, modo laeva Priscus inani §2.7.10vixit inaequalis, clavum ut mutaret in horas, §2.7.11aedibus ex magnis subito se conderet unde §2.7.12mundior exiret vix libertinus honeste; §2.7.13iam moechus Romae, iam mallet doctus Athenis §2.7.14vivere, Vertumnis quotquot sunt natus iniquis.
Priscus, often noticed with three rings, and then again with his left hand bare, lived inconsistently, so that he would change his stripe of tunic every hour; from grand mansions he would suddenly hide himself in a place whence a decent freedman could scarcely come out with dignity; now an adulterer in Rome, now he would prefer to live as a scholar in Athens, born under the hostile influence of all the Vertumni that exist.
§2.7.15scurra Volanerius, postquam illi iusta cheragra §2.7.16contudit articulos, qui pro se tolleret atque §2.7.17mitteret in phimum talos, mercede diurna §2.7.18conductum pavit: quanto constantior isdem §2.7.19in vitiis, tanto levius miser ac prior illo §2.7.20qui iam contento, iam laxo fune laborat. ’ §2.7.21‘non dices hodie, quorsum haec tam putida tendant, §2.7.22furcifer?’ ‘ad te, inquam. ’ ‘quo pacto, pessime?’ ‘laudas §2.7.23fortunam et mores antiquae plebis, et idem, §2.7.24siquis ad illa Deus subito te agat, usque recuses, §2.7.25aut quia non sentis, quod clamas, rectius esse, §2.7.26aut quia non firmus rectum defendis et haeres §2.7.27nequiquam caeno cupiens evellere plantam.
The parasite Volanerius, after a well-deserved gout crippled his finger-joints, kept a man hired on a daily wage to pick up the dice for him and throw them into the box: the more constant he was in those same vices, the less miserable he was and better off than that man who struggles now with a tight, now with a slack rope.' 'Won't you tell me today, you scoundrel, where all this rot is heading?' 'To you, I say.' 'How so, you worst of men?' 'You praise the fortune and manners of the ancient plebeians, and yet, if some god were suddenly to lead you to those times, you would utterly refuse, either because you do not really feel what you cry out is better, or because you do not firmly defend the right, and you stick in the mud, wishing in vain to pull your foot out.
At Rome you long for the country; in the country, you fickle man, you extol the absent City to the stars.
si nusquam es forte vocatus §2.7.30ad cenam, laudas securum holus ac, velut usquam §2.7.31vinctus eas, ita te felicem dicis amasque, §2.7.32quod nusquam tibi sit potandum.
If by chance you are invited nowhere to dinner, you praise your worry-free vegetables, and, as if you were going anywhere in chains, you call yourself happy and hug yourself because you do not have to drink anywhere.
iusserit ad se §2.7.33Maecenas serum sub lumina prima venire §2.7.34convivam: “nemon’ oleum fert ocius? ecquis
But if Maecenas has ordered you to come to him as a late guest just at twilight: "Is no one going to bring the oil quickly?
§2.7.35audit?” cum magno blateras clamore fugisque.
Is anyone listening?" you bellow with a great shout and rush off.
Mulvius and the parasites depart, having prayed for curses upon you which cannot be repeated.
“etenim fateor me” dixerit ille §2.7.38“duci ventre levem, nasum nidore supinor, §2.7.39inbecillus, iners, siquid vis, adde, popino.
"For indeed, I confess," he would say, "that I am easily led by my stomach, I lift up my nose at a savory smell, weak, lazy, and, if you like, add: a tavern-hunter.
§2.7.40tu cum sis quod ego et fortassis nequior, ultro §2.7.41insectere velut melior verbisque decoris §2.7.42obvolvas vitium?” quid, si me stultior ipso §2.7.43quingentis empto drachmis deprenderis? aufer
But since you are what I am, and perhaps even more worthless, would you take it upon yourself to lecture me as if you were better, and wrap your vice in decorous words?" What if you are found to be more foolish than my very self, bought for five hundred drachmas?
Stop terrifying me with your looks; hold your hand and your temper, while I deliver what the gatekeeper of Crispinus taught me.
§2.7.46te coniunx aliena capit, meretricula Davum: §2.7.47peccat uter nostrum cruce dignius? acris ubi me
Another man's wife captivates you; a common harlot, Davus: which of us sins more deservingly of the cross?
§2.7.48natura intendit, sub clara nuda lucerna §2.7.49quaecumque excepit turgentis verbera caudae §2.7.50clunibus aut agitavit equum lasciva supinum, §2.7.51dimittit neque famosum neque sollicitum, ne §2.7.52ditior aut formae melioris meiat eodem.
When keen nature incites me, under the bright lamp, naked, whoever receives the lashings of my swollen passion with her buttocks, or, wanton, rides my supine body like a horse, she dismisses me neither disgraced nor anxious lest someone richer or of better form should make water in the same place.
§2.7.53tu cum proiectis insignibus, anulo equestri §2.7.54Romanoque habitu, prodis ex iudice Dama, §2.7.55turpis odoratum caput obscurante lacerna,
You, when you cast aside your badges of honor, your equestrian ring, and your Roman dress, and go forth, from being a judge, as a slave Dama, with a greasy cloak hiding your perfumed head, are you not what you pretend to be?
§2.7.56non es quod simulas? metuens induceris atque §2.7.57altercante libidinibus tremis ossa pavore.
Dreading, you are let in, and your very bones tremble with fear, while your passions clash.
§2.7.58quid refert, uri virgis ferroque necari §2.7.59auctoratus eas, an turpi clausus in arca, §2.7.60quo te demisit peccati conscia erilis,
What difference does it make whether you go as a hired gladiator to be scourged with rods and slain with iron, or be shut up in a filthy chest, where the maid, conscious of her mistress's sin, has thrust you?'