An ancient wood stands, uncut through many years; it is believable that a divinity is in that place.
In the middle is a sacred spring and a cave hanging with pumice, and from every side birds complain sweetly.
§3.1.5Hic ego dum spatior tectus nemoralibus umbris — §3.1.6Quod mea, quaerebam, Musa moveret opus — §3.1.7Venit odoratos Elegia nexa capillos, §3.1.8Et, puto, pes illi longior alter erat.
Here while I stroll, covered by the woodland shadows — searching out what work my Muse should set in motion — Elegy came with her fragrant hair bound up, and, I think, one of her feet was longer than the other.
She had a graceful form, a very thin garment, the look of a lover, and the defect in her feet was a cause of grace.
§3.1.11Venit et ingenti violenta Tragoedia passu: §3.1.12Fronte comae torva, palla iacebat humi; §3.1.13Laeva manus sceptrum late regale movebat, §3.1.14Lydius alta pedum vincla cothurnus erat.
Violent Tragedy also came with a huge stride: her hair was rough on her grim brow, her robe trailed on the ground; her left hand shook a widely royal scepter, the Lydian buskin was the high binding of her feet.
And she spoke first: "Will there ever be any end to your loving, O poet sluggish in your theme?
Wine-soaked banquets tell of your worthlessness, and the crossroads split into many paths tell of it.
§3.1.19Saepe aliquis digito vatem designat euntem, §3.1.20Atque ait "hic, hic est, quem ferus urit Amor!" §3.1.21Fabula, nec sentis, tota iactaris in urbe, §3.1.22Dum tua praeterito facta pudore refers.
Often someone points his finger at the poet as he goes, and says, 'This is he, this is the one whom fierce Love burns!' You are being tossed about as a story in the whole city, though you do not notice, while you recount your deeds, having cast aside shame.
It was time for you to be moved, struck by a heavier thyrsus; you have rested enough — begin a greater work!
§3.1.25Materia premis ingenium.
You suppress your genius with your material.
cane facta virorum.
Sing the deeds of heroes.
§3.1.26"haec animo," dices, "area facta meo est!" §3.1.27Quod tenerae cantent, lusit tua Musa, puellae, §3.1.28Primaque per numeros acta iuventa suos.
'This,' you will say, 'is the field made for my mind!' Your Muse has played with what tender girls might sing, and your early youth was spent in its own measures.
§3.1.29Nunc habeam per te Romana Tragoedia nomen!
Now let Roman Tragedy have a name through you!
§3.1.30Inplebit leges spiritus iste meas. ' §3.1.31Hactenus, et movit pictis innixa cothurnis §3.1.32Densum caesarie terque quaterque caput.
That spirit of yours will fulfill my laws." Thus far she spoke, and leaning on her painted buskins she shook her head, thick with hair, three and four times.
The other, if I remember, smiled with sidelong eyes — am I deceived, or was there a myrtle branch in her right hand?
§3.1.35'Quid gravibus verbis, animosa Tragoedia,' dixit,
"Why, high-spirited Tragedy," she said, "do you weigh me down with heavy words?
§3.1.36'Me premis? an numquam non gravis esse potes?
Or can you never be otherwise than heavy?
Yet you have deigned to be moved in unequal measures; you have fought against me by using my own verses.
I would not compare sublime poems with ours; your palace overwhelms my tiny doors.
I am light, and with me is light Cupid, my care; I myself am not stronger than my own material.
Without me, the mother of wanton Love would be rustic; I have come forth as a helper and companion to this goddess.
§3.1.45Quam tu non poteris duro reserare cothurno, §3.1.46Haec est blanditiis ianua laxa meis; §3.1.47Et tamen emerui plus quam tu posse, ferendo §3.1.48Multa supercilio non patienda tuo.
The door which you will not be able to unlock with your hard buskin, this is made wide open by my flatteries; and yet I have deserved to be able to do more than you, by bearing many things not to be endured by your haughty brow.
§3.1.49Per me decepto didicit custode Corinna §3.1.50Liminis adstricti sollicitare fidem, §3.1.51Delabique toro tunica velata soluta §3.1.52Atque inpercussos nocte movere pedes.
Through me, Corinna, having deceived her guardian, learned to shake the loyalty of the locked threshold, and to slip from her bed, clad in a loosened tunic, and to move her feet without a sound at night.
Ah, how often I hung fixed on the hard doors, not fearing to be read by the passerby!
Indeed, I remember that while the cruel guardian departed, I hid in the wretched bosom of the maid.
What of when you send me as a birthday gift, but she tears me and dunks me in the water placed nearby, cruel woman?
§3.1.59Prima tuae movi felicia semina mentis; §3.1.60Munus habes, quod te iam petit ista, meum. ' §3.1.61Desierat.
I first moved the happy seeds of your mind; you have my gift, in that she now seeks you." She had finished.
coepi: 'per vos utramque rogamus, §3.1.62In vacuas aures verba timentis eant.
I began: "By both of you we ask that the words of a fearful man may go into empty ears.
One of you honors me with the scepter and the high buskin; already now, with my mouth touched, there is a grand sound.
The other gives a name that will live to our love — therefore be present and add short verses to long ones!
§3.1.67Exiguum vati concede, Tragoedia, tempus!
Grant a little time to the poet, Tragedy!
§3.1.68Tu labor aeternus; quod petit illa, breve est. ' §3.1.69Mota dedit veniam — teneri properentur Amores, §3.1.70Dum vacat; a tergo grandius urguet opus!
You are an eternal labor; what she seeks is brief." Moved, she gave permission — let tender Loves be hurried while there is leisure; a grander work urges from behind!