§1.14.1Vilice silvarum et milli me reddentis agelli, §1.14.2quem tu fastidis, habitatum quinque focis et §1.14.3quinque bonos solitum Variam dimittere patres, §1.14.4certemus, spinas animone ego fortius an tu §1.14.5evellas agro, et melior sit Horatius an res.
Bailiff of my woods and of the little estate that restores me to myself, which you despise, though inhabited by five households and accustomed to send five good fathers of families to Varia, let us compete, whether I more stoutly tear out the thorns from my mind, or you from the field, and whether Horace or his property is in better condition.
§1.14.6Me quamvis Lamiae pietas et cura moratur, §1.14.7fratrem maerentis, rapto de fratre dolentis §1.14.8insolabiliter, tamen istuc mens animusque §1.14.9fert et amat spatiis obstantia rumpere claustra,
Although Lamia's affection and concern delay me, as he mourns his brother, grieving inconsolably for his snatched-away brother, yet my mind and soul carry me thither and long to break through the barriers that obstruct the course.
§1.14.10rure ego viventem, tu dicis in urbe beatum.
I call the one living in the country happy, you the one in the city.
§1.14.11cui placet alterius, sua nimirum est odio sors.
He who fancies another's lot, naturally hates his own.
§1.14.12stultus uterque locum immeritum causatur inique: §1.14.13in culpa est animus, qui se non effugit umquam.
Each foolishly and unjustly blames the innocent place: the fault is in the mind, which never escapes itself.
§1.14.14Tu mediastinus tacita prece rura petebas, §1.14.15nunc urbem et ludos et balnea vilicus optas:
As a common drudge, you used to pray in secret for the country; now as a bailiff, you long for the city, the games, and the baths.
§1.14.16me constare mihi scis et discedere tristem §1.14.17quandocumque trahunt invisa negotia Romam,
You know that I am consistent with myself and depart in sadness whenever hateful business drags me to Rome.
We do not admire the same things; hence is the disagreement between me and you.
nam quae deserta et inhospita tesqua §1.14.20credis, amoena vocat mecum qui sentit, et odit
For what you believe to be deserted and inhospitable wilds, he who feels with me calls lovely, and hates what you think beautiful.
§1.14.21quae tu pulchra putas, fornix tibi et uncta popina §1.14.22incutiunt urbis desiderium, video, et quod §1.14.23angulus iste feret piper et tus ocius uva, §1.14.24nec vicina subest vinum praebere taberna §1.14.25quae possit tibi, nec meretrix tibicina, cuius §1.14.26ad strepitum salias terrae gravis; et tamen urges §1.14.27iampridem non tacta ligonibus arva bovemque §1.14.28disiunctum curas et strictis frondibus exples; §1.14.29addit opus pigro rivus, si decidit imber, §1.14.30multa mole docendus aprico parcere prato.
A brothel and a greasy cookshop strike you with a longing for the city, I see, and because that little corner of yours will bear pepper and incense sooner than a grape, and because there is no tavern nearby to supply you with wine, nor a flute-playing harlot, to whose din you may heavy-footed dance upon the ground; and yet you labor at the fields untouched by hoes for a long time, and care for the unyoked ox and fill him with stripped leaves; the brook adds work to the lazy one if a shower falls, to be taught with many a mound to spare the sunny meadow.
§1.14.31Nunc age, quid nostrum concentum dividat audi.
Now come, hear what divides our harmony.
§1.14.32quem tenues decuere togae nitidique capilli, §1.14.33quem scis immunem Cinarae placuisse rapaci, §1.14.34quem bibulum liquidi media de luce Falerni, §1.14.35cena brevis iuvat et prope rivum somnus in herba; §1.14.36nec lusisse pudet, sed non incidere ludum,
A man whom fine togas and glossy hair once became, who, as you know, pleased rapacious Cinara without a gift, who liked drinking clear Falernian from midday onwards, now a brief dinner pleases, and sleep on the grass near a stream; nor is it a shame to have played, but not to cut short the play.
§1.14.37non istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam §1.14.38limat, non odio obscuro morsuque venenat: §1.14.39rident vicini glaebas et saxa moventem.
No one there diminishes my advantages with a squinting eye, nor poisons them with secret hatred and bite; the neighbors laugh as I move the clods and stones.
You prefer to gnaw the town rations with the slaves; you rush to join their number in your prayer.
§1.14.42lignorum et pecoris tibi calo argutus et horti,
But the shrewd drudge envies you your use of the wood, the cattle, and the garden.
§1.14.43optat ephippia bos, piger optat arare caballus.
The ox desires the saddle, the lazy horse desires to plow.
§1.14.44quam scit uterque libens censebo exerceat artem.
I shall decree that each gladly practice the art which he understands.