§4.5.1O mihi dilectos inter pars prima sodales, §4.5.2unica fortunis ara reperta meis §4.5.3cuius ab adloquiis anima haec moribunda revixit, §4.5.4ut vigil infusa Pallade flamma solet; §4.5.5qui veritus non es portus aperire fideles §4.5.6fulmine percussae confugiumque rati; §4.5.7cuius eram censu non me sensurus egentem, §4.5.8si Caesar patrias eripuisset opes.
O foremost part among the companions beloved by me, the only altar found for my ruined fortunes, from whose words of comfort this dying soul of mine revived, as a wakeful flame is wont to do when Pallas (olive oil) is poured upon it; you who did not fear to open a faithful harbor and a refuge to a ship struck by lightning; by whose wealth I would not have felt myself to be in want, even if Caesar had snatched away my ancestral riches.
While the impulse of this moment carries me away, forgetful of the time, alas, how nearly did your name slip from me!
§4.5.11tuum! tu tamen agnoscis tactusque cupidine laudis, §4.5.12ille ego sum cuperes dicere posse palam, §4.5.13certe ego, si sineres, titulum tibi reddere vellem, §4.5.14et raram famae conciliare fidem.
Yet you recognize it, and touched by the desire for praise, you might wish to be able to say openly, "I am that man." Certainly I, if you would allow it, would wish to restore your title to you, and to win a rare credit for your reputation.
I fear lest I harm you with a grateful poem, or lest an untimely honor of your name should stand in your way.
§4.5.17quod licet (et tutum est) intra tua pectora gaude §4.5.18meque tui memorem teque fuisse pium, §4.5.19utque facis, remis ad opem luctare ferendam, §4.5.20dum veniat placido mollior aura deo; §4.5.21et tutare caput nulli servabile, si non §4.5.22qui mersit Stygia sublevet illud aqua; §4.5.23teque, quod est rarum, praesta constanter ad omne §4.5.24indeclinatae munus amicitiae.
As far as is permitted (and is safe), rejoice within your own heart that I have been mindful of you, and that you have been loyal, and as you are doing, struggle with all your oars to bring assistance, until a gentler breeze comes from the pacified god; and protect a life safe for no one else to preserve, unless he who submerged it should lift it up from the Stygian water; and show yourself constantly, which is a rare thing, in every duty of an unswerving friendship.
§4.5.25sic tua processus habeat fortuna perennes, §4.5.26sic ope non egeas ipse iuvesque tuos, §4.5.27sic aequet tua nupta virum bonitate perenni, §4.5.28incidat et vestro nulla querella toro; §4.5.29diligat et semper socius de sanguinis illo, §4.5.30quo pius affectu Castora frater amat; §4.5.31sic iuvenis similisque tibi sit natus, et illum §4.5.32moribus agnoscat quilibet esse tuum; §4.5.33sic faciat socerum taeda te nata iugali, §4.5.34nec tardum iuveni det tibi nomen avi.
Thus may your fortune have continuous progress, thus may you yourself not lack aid and may help your own people, thus may your bride equal her husband in enduring goodness, and may no complaint fall upon your marriage bed; and may that companion of your blood always love you with that affection with which the loyal brother loves Castor; thus may a young son be born similar to you, and may anyone recognize him by his character to be yours; thus may your daughter make you a father-in-law by the marriage torch, and may her young husband give you the not-tardy name of grandfather.