§5.10.1Ut sumus in Ponto, ter frigore constitit Hister, §5.10.2facta est Euxini dura ter unda maris.
While I am in Pontus, the Hister has frozen three times with cold, the wave of the Euxine sea has become hard three times.
§5.10.3at mihi iam videor patria procul esse tot annis, §5.10.4Dardana quot Graio Troia sub hoste fuit.
But to myself I already seem to have been far from my fatherland for as many years as Dardanian Troy was under the Greek enemy.
You would think that time stands still, so slowly does it advance, and the year completes its journey with slow paces.
§5.10.7nec mihi solstitium quicquam de noctibus aufert, §5.10.8efficit angustos nec mihi bruma dies, §5.10.9scilicet in nobis rerum natura novata est, §5.10.10cumque meis curis omnia longa facit.
Neither does the solstice take away anything from my nights, nor does the winter solstice make the days narrow for me; indeed, the nature of things has been altered in my case, and it makes all things long along with my cares.
Or do the common times complete their accustomed movements, and is it rather that the times of my life are harsh?
§5.10.13quem tenet Euxini mendax cognomine litus, §5.10.14et Scythici vere terra sinistra freti, §5.10.15innumerae circa gentes fera bella minantur, §5.10.16quae sibi non rapto vivere turpe putant.
Me, whom the coast of the Euxine, false in its name, holds, and the truly sinister land of the Scythian strait, around me innumerable tribes threaten fierce wars, who think it shameful for themselves to live without plunder.
Nothing outside is safe: the mound itself is defended by scanty walls and the natural strength of the site.
§5.10.19cum minime credas, ut aves, densissimus hostis §5.10.20advolat, et praedam vix bene visus agit.
When you least expect it, like birds, the enemy in dense crowds fly hither, and drive off the booty, scarcely well seen.
Often within the walls, though the gates are closed, we gather harmful weapons sent through the middle of the streets.
§5.10.23est igitur rarus, rus qui colere audeat, isque §5.10.24hac arat infelix, hac tenet arma manu.
Therefore, rare is he who dares to till the field, and he, unhappy man, plows with this hand, and holds weapons in that.
§5.10.25sub galea pastor iunctis pice cantat avenis, §5.10.26proque lupo pavidae bella verentur oves.
Under his helmet the shepherd plays on reeds joined with pitch, and instead of the wolf, the fearful sheep dread wars.
§5.10.27vix ope castelli defendimur; et tamen intus §5.10.28mixta facit Graecis barbara turba metum, §5.10.29quippe simul nobis habitat discrimine nullo §5.10.30barbarus et tecti plus quoque parte tenet, §5.10.31quos ut non timeas, possis odisse videndo §5.10.32pellibus et longa pectora tecta coma.
We are scarcely defended by the help of the fortress; and yet within, a barbarian crowd mixed with the Greeks causes fear, since the barbarian lives together with us with no distinction, and holds even more than a share of the house; whom, even if you do not fear, you can hate by seeing their breasts covered with skins and long hair.
§5.10.33hos quoque, qui geniti Graia creduntur ab urbe, §5.10.34pro patrio cultu Persica braca tegit.
These too, who are believed to be descended from a Greek city, Persian trousers cover instead of their ancestral dress.
They carry on the commerce of a shared language: the matter must be signified by gesture to me.
§5.10.37barbarus hic ego sum, qui non intellegor ulli, §5.10.38et rident stolidi verba Latina Getae; §5.10.39meque palam de me tuto mala saepe loquuntur, §5.10.40forsitan obiciunt exiliumque mihi.
Here I am the barbarian, who am not understood by anyone, and the foolish Getae laugh at Latin words; and they often openly speak evil of me about me with safety, and perhaps they cast my exile in my teeth.
§5.10.41utque fit, in me aliquid ficti, dicentibus illis §5.10.42abnuerim quotiens adnuerimque, putant,
And as it happens, they think there is something of deceit in me, as often as I nod or shake my head, while they are speaking.
Add that unjust law is pronounced with the rigid sword, and wounds are often given in the middle of the forum.
O harsh Lachesis, who to one having so heavy a star gave threads of my life that were not shorter!
§5.10.47quod patriae vultu vestroque caremus, amici, §5.10.48atque hic in Scythicis gentibus esse queror: §5.10.49utraque poena gravis, merui tamen urbe carere, §5.10.50non merui tali forsitan esse loco.
That we lack our fatherland and your face, friends, and that I am here among the Scythian tribes, I complain: each punishment is heavy; yet I deserved to lack the city, perhaps I did not deserve to be in such a place.
§5.10.51quid loquor, a! demens? ipsam quoque perdere vitam,
What am I saying, ah, madman?
§5.10.52Caesaris offenso numine, dignus eram.
Even to lose life itself, since Caesar's deity was offended, I was worthy.