§2.2.1Ille domus vestrae primis venerator ab annis, §2.2.2pulsus ad Euxini Naso sinistra freti, §2.2.3mittit ab indomitis hanc, Messaline, salutem, §2.2.4quam solitus praesens est tibi ferre. Getis.
That worshipper of your house from his earliest years, Naso, driven to the left of the Euxine sea, sends you, Messalinus, from the wild Getans, this greeting, which he was accustomed to bring to you in person when present.
Ah, woe is me, if when my name is read, your expression is not what it was, and you hesitate to read through the rest!
Read it through, and do not banish my words along with me; my verses are allowed to be in your city.
§2.2.9non ego concepi, si Pelion Ossa tulisset, §2.2.10clara mea tangi sidera posse manu, §2.2.11nec nos Enceladi dementia castra secuti §2.2.12in rerum dominos movimus arma deos, §2.2.13nec, quod Tydidae temeraria dextera fecit, §2.2.14numina sunt telis ulla petita meis.
I did not imagine, even if Pelion had borne Ossa, that the bright stars could be touched by my hand, nor did we, following the mad camp of Enceladus, move arms against the gods, the masters of the universe, nor, as the rash right hand of Tydeus' son did, was any divinity attacked by my weapons.
§2.2.15est mea culpa gravis, sed quae me perdere solum §2.2.16ausa sit, et nullum maius adorta nefas.
My fault is heavy, but it is one which dared to ruin me alone, and attempted no greater wickedness.
I can be called nothing but foolish and fearful; these two are the true names of my mind.
§2.2.19esse quidem fateor meritam post Caesaris iram §2.2.20difficilem precibus te quoque iure meis; §2.2.21quaeque tua est pietas in totum nomen Iuli, §2.2.22te laedi, cum quis laeditur inde, putas,
I confess, indeed, that after Caesar's deserved anger you too are rightly difficult toward my prayers; and such is your devotion to the whole name of Julius, that you think yourself harmed when anyone from there is harmed.
But although you may bear arms and threaten cruel wounds, yet you will not bring it about that you are feared by me.
A Trojan ship received the Greek Achaemenides, and the Pelian spear benefited the Mysian leader.
Sometimes the violator of a temple flees to the altar, nor does he dread to seek the help of the offended deity.
§2.2.29dixerit hoc aliquis tutum non esse. fatemur.
Someone might say this is not safe; we confess it.
§2.2.30sed non per placidas it mea puppis aquas,
But my ship does not sail through calm waters.
Let others seek safe things; the most wretched fortune is safe, for fear of a worse outcome is absent.
§2.2.33qui rapitur spumante salo, sua brachia tendens §2.2.34porrigit ad spinas duraque saxa manus, §2.2.35accipitremque timens pennis trepidantibus ales §2.2.36audet ad humanos fessa venire sinus, §2.2.37nec se vicino dubitat committere tecto, §2.2.38quae fugit infestos territa cerva canes,
He who is swept away by the foaming sea, stretching out his arms, extends his hands to thorns and hard rocks; and the bird, fearing the hawk with trembling wings, dares to come, exhausted, to human bosoms; nor does the hind, terrified by hostile dogs, hesitate to commit herself to a nearby house.
§2.2.39da, precor, accessum lacrimis, mitissime, nostris, §2.2.40nec rigidam timidis vocibus obde forem, §2.2.41verbaque nostra favens Romana ad numina perfer, §2.2.42non tibi Tarpeio culta Tonante minus,
Grant, I pray, access to our tears, most gentle one, nor shut the firm door against fearful voices; and favoringly carry our words to the Roman divinities, worshipped by you no less than the Tarpeian Thunderer.
As the envoy of my commission, undertake my cause, although no cause is good under my name.
Now almost abandoned, surely already a cold sick man, I shall be saved through you, if only I am saved.
Now let your influence strive for my exhausted fortunes, which the love of the eternal prince provides to you.
§2.2.49nunc tibi et eloquii nitor ille domesticus adsit, §2.2.50quo poteras trepidis utilis esse reis.
Now let that native splendor of eloquence be present to you, by which you were able to be useful to trembling defendants.
For the tongue of your eloquent parent lives in you, and that quality has found its own heir.
I adore this eloquence, not so that it may attempt to defend me; the cause of a self-confessed defendant is not to be defended.
Yet see whether you should excuse the deed by the origin of the mistake, or whether it is of no use to stir up such a thing.
It is that kind of wound which, since it is incurable, I think is safer not to be touched.
§2.2.59lingua, sile! non est ultra narrabile quicquam.
Tongue, be silent! There is nothing more to be told.
§2.2.60posse velim cineres obruere ipse meos.
I could wish to bury my own ashes.