I, Naso, sent these words composed in unequal meters to my Salanus, with a greeting prefixed.
§2.5.3quae rata sit, cupio, rebusque ut comprobet omen, §2.5.4te precor a salvo possit, amice, legi.
Which greeting I desire to be fulfilled, and so that reality may confirm the omen, I pray you, friend, that it may be read by you who are safe, from me who am safe.
Your sincerity, a virtue almost dead in this age, demands that I make such vows.
§2.5.7nam fuerim quamvis modico tibi iunctus ab usu. §2.5.8diceris exiliis indoluisse meis, §2.5.9missaque ab Euxino legeres cum carmina Ponto, §2.5.10illa tuus iuvit qualiacumque favor; §2.5.11optastique brevem solvi mihi Caesaris iram, §2.5.12quod tamen optari, si sciat, ipse sinat,
For although I might have been joined to you by only moderate familiarity, you are said to have grieved at my exile, and when you read the poems sent from the Euxine Sea, your favor assisted them, such as they were; and you wished that Caesar's anger against me be briefly dissolved, which wish, however, if he knew, he himself would permit to be made.
You gave those so gentle vows to your character, nor are they on that account any less pleasing to me.
And that you are moved all the more by our misfortunes, most learned one, is believable to happen because of the condition of the place.
Believe me, you will scarcely find throughout the whole world a land that enjoys the Augustan peace less than this one.
§2.5.19tu tamen hic structos inter fera proelia versus §2.5.20et legis et lectos ore favente probas, §2.5.21ingenioque meo, vena quod paupere manat, §2.5.22plaudis, et e rivo flumina magna facis,
Yet you both read the verses built here amid fierce battles, and, having read them, approve them with a favoring mouth, and you applaud my talent, which flows from a poor vein, and make great rivers out of a rivulet.
§2.5.23grata quidem sunt haec animo suffragia nostro, §2.5.24vix sibi cum miseros posse placere putes,
These votes of approval are indeed pleasing to my mind, when you would think that miserable men can scarcely please themselves.
Yet while we attempt poems on small matters, our talent is sufficient for the slender material.
Recently, when the report of a great triumph reached here, I dared to undertake a work of so great a mass.
The gravity and splendor of the subject overwhelmed me as I dared, nor could I bear the weight of my undertaking.
In that work, what you might praise will be my dutiful goodwill; other things lie weakened by the subject-matter.
Which book, if by chance it reaches your ears, I entrust that it may feel your protection.
§2.5.35hoc tibi facturo, vel si non ipse rogarem, §2.5.36accedat cumulus gratia nostra levis, §2.5.37non ego laudandus, sed sunt tua pectora, lacte §2.5.38et non calcata candidiora nive:
To you who are going to do this, even if I myself did not ask, let my slight gratitude be added as a crowning heap, not I am to be praised, but your heart, which is whiter than milk and untrodden snow.
And you admire others, though you yourself are admirable, nor are your arts and eloquence hidden.
The prince of youths, to whom Germany gives his name, Caesar, is accustomed to have you as a partner in his study.
You, an old companion, joined from your earliest years, please him with a character that equals your talent.
When you speak first, immediately an impulse comes to him; and he has you as one who may draw out his own words by yours.
§2.5.47cum tu desisti mortaliaque ora quierunt §2.5.48tectaque non longa continuere mora, §2.5.49surgit Iuleo iuvenis cognomine dignus, §2.5.50qualis ab Eois Lucifer ortus aquis.
When you have ceased and mortal mouths have grown silent, and the closed mouths have kept silence for no long delay, the youth worthy of the Julian name rises, just like Lucifer risen from the Eastern waters.
§2.5.51dumque silens adstat, status est vultusque diserti, §2.5.52spemque decens doctae vocis amictus habet,
And while he stands silent, his posture and countenance are those of an eloquent man, and his fitting attire holds the promise of a learned voice.
§2.5.53mox, ubi pulsa mora est atque os caeleste solutum, §2.5.54hoc superos iures more solere loqui, §2.5.55atque "haec est "dicas "facundia principe digna §2.5.56"eloquio tantum nobilitatis inest. §2.5.57huic tu cum placeas et vertice sidera tangas, §2.5.58scripta tamen profugi vatis habenda putas,
Soon, when delay is banished and his celestial mouth is opened, you would swear that the gods above are accustomed to speak in this manner, and you would say: "This is eloquence worthy of a prince: so much nobility is in his speech." Though you please this man and touch the stars with your head, yet you think that the writings of an exiled poet ought to be kept.
§2.5.59scilicet ingeniis aliqua est concordia iunctis, §2.5.60et servat studii foedera quisque sui: §2.5.61rusticus agricolam, miles fera bella gerentem, §2.5.62rectorem dubiae navita puppis amat.
Indeed, there is some concord between joined talents, and each keeps the treaties of his own pursuit: the peasant loves the farmer, the soldier loves him who wages fierce wars, the sailor loves the pilot of a doubtful ship.
You too, studious one, are held by the study of the Pierides, and, talented one, you favor my talent.
§2.5.65distat opus nostrum, sed fontibus exit ab isdem: §2.5.66artis et ingenuae cultor uterque sumus,
Our work differs, but it issues from the same springs: each of us is a cultivator of the liberal art.
The thyrsus is absent from you, the laurel has been tasted by us; yet nevertheless passion must be present in both of us.
And as your eloquence gives sinews to my numbers, so from us a luster comes into your words.
Rightly, therefore, do you think that poems bordering on your study and the sacred rites of our fellowship must be protected.
On behalf of which, I pray that the friend, by whom you are valued, may remain so to the final days of your life.