§2.8.1Redditus est nobis Caesar cum Caesare nuper, §2.8.2quos mihi misisti, Maxime Cotta, deos; §2.8.3utque tuum munus numerum, quem debet, haberet, §2.8.4est ibi Caesaribus Livia iuncta suis.
Recently Caesar has been returned to me along with Caesar, the gods whom you sent to me, Maximus Cotta; and so that your gift might have the number it ought, Livia is joined there to her own Caesars.
O fortunate silver, more blessed than all gold, which, though its value was once that of raw metal, possesses divinity.
You would not have given me greater things by giving riches, than by having sent these three heavenly beings before my eyes.
It is something to look upon the gods and believe they are present, and to be able to speak as if with a true divinity.
§2.8.11quantum ad te, redii, nec me tenet ultima tellus, §2.8.12utque prius, media sospes in urbe moror.
As far as you are concerned, I have returned, and the furthest land does not hold me, and as before, I linger safe in the middle of the city.
§2.8.13Caesareos video vultus, velut ante videbam: §2.8.14vix huius voti spes fuit ulla mihi; §2.8.15utque salutabam numen caeleste, saluto.
I see the faces of the Caesars, just as I used to see them before: scarcely did I have any hope of this prayer; and just as I used to salute the heavenly divinity, I salute them now.
§2.8.16quod reduci tribuas, nil, puto, maius habes,
Nothing greater, I think, do you have to bestow upon one who has returned.
§2.8.17quid nostris oculis nisi sola Palatia desunt?
What is lacking to our eyes except the Palatine alone?
§2.8.18qui locus ablato Caesare vilis erit.
Which place, if Caesar were taken away, would be of cheap value.
§2.8.19hunc ego eum spectem, videor mihi cernere Romam; §2.8.20nam patriae faciem sustinet ille suae.
When I look upon him, I seem to myself to discern Rome; for he supports the face of his own fatherland.
§2.8.21fallor an irati mihi sunt in imagine vultus, §2.8.22torvaque nescio quid forma minantis habet?
Am I mistaken, or are the faces in the image angry with me, and does the grim form have something of a threatening threat?
Spare me, O man greater than the immense world in virtues, and hold back the righteous reins of your vengeance.
Spare me, I pray, O indelible glory of our age, whom your care makes the master of the world.
§2.8.27per patriae nomen, quae te tibi carior ipso est, §2.8.28per numquam surdos in tua vota deos, §2.8.29perque tori sociam, quae par tibi sola reperta est, §2.8.30et cui maiestas non onerosa tua est, §2.8.31perque tibi similem virtutis imagine natum, §2.8.32moribus adgnosci qui tuus esse potest, §2.8.33perque tuos, vel avo dignos, vel patre nepotes, §2.8.34qui veniunt magno per tua iussa gradu, §2.8.35parte leva minima nostras et contrahe poenas, §2.8.36daque, procul Scythico qui sit ab hoste, locum.
By the name of the fatherland, which is dearer to you than yourself, by the gods who are never deaf to your prayers, and by the partner of your couch, who alone has been found equal to you, and to whom your majesty is not burdensome, and by your son, similar to you in the image of virtue, who can be recognized by his character to be yours, and by your grandsons, worthy of either grandfather or father, who advance with great strides at your command, lighten and contract our punishments in the smallest part, and grant a place which may be far from the Scythian enemy.
And may your divinity, if it is lawful, O Caesar next to Caesar, powers be not hostile to my prayers.
§2.8.39sic fera quam primum pavido Germania vultu §2.8.40ante triumphantis serva feratur equos: §2.8.41sic pater in Pylios, Cumaeos mater in annos §2.8.42vivant, et possis filius esse diu.
Thus may fierce Germany as soon as possible, with a fearful countenance, be led as a slave before the triumphant horses: thus may the father live to Pylian years, the mother to Cumaean years, and may you be able to be a son for a long time.
You also, O bride fitting for so great a husband, receive the prayers of a suppliant with no harsh ear.
§2.8.45sic tibi vir sospes, sic sint cum prole nepotes, §2.8.46cumque bonis nuribus quod peperere nurus, §2.8.47sic, quem dira tibi rapuit Germania Drusum, §2.8.48pars fuerit partus sola caduca tui.
Thus may your husband be safe, thus your grandsons with your offspring, and with good daughters-in-law, what the daughters-in-law have brought forth; thus may Drusus, whom dreadful Germany snatched from you, have been the only fallen part of your offspring.
Thus may the avenger of a brother's death timely, a purple son, press upon his snow-white horses.
§2.8.51adnuite o! timidis, mitissima numina, votis.
Nod assent, O most gentle divinities, to my fearful prayers!
§2.8.52praesentis aliquid prosit habere deos.
May it be of some benefit to have present gods.
At Caesar's arrival, the gladiator leaves the arena safe, and his countenance holds no light help.
§2.8.55nos quoque vestra iuvat quod, qua licet, ora videmus, §2.8.56intrata est superis quod domus una tribus,
It pleases us too that, as far as it is permitted, we see your faces, and that one house has been entered by three heavenly beings.
§2.8.57felices illi, qui non simulacra, sed ipsos, §2.8.58quique deum coram corpora vera vident, §2.8.59quod quoniam nobis invidit inutile fatum, §2.8.60quos dedit ars, vultus effigiemque colo.
Happy are those who see not likenesses, but the very ones, and who see the true bodies of the gods face to face, since a useless fate has envied us this, I worship the faces and the likeness which art has given.
Thus humans have known the gods, whom the lofty air conceals, and the form of Jupiter is worshipped instead of Jupiter.
§2.8.63denique, quae mecum est et erit sine fine, cavete, §2.8.64ne sit in inviso vestra figura loco.
Finally, O images who are with me and will be without end, take care lest your figure be in a hated place.
§2.8.65nam caput e nostra citius cervice recedet, §2.8.66et patiar fossis lumen abire genis, §2.8.67quam caream raptis, o publica numina, vobis: §2.8.68vos eritis nostrae portus et ara fugae.
For my head will sooner depart from my neck, and I shall suffer the light to depart from my dug-out cheeks, than that I should lack you, O public divinities, snatched away: you will be the harbor and altar of my exile.
§2.8.69vos ego complectar, Geticis si cingar ab armis, §2.8.70utque meas aquilas, ut mea signa sequar,
I shall embrace you, if I am surrounded by Getic arms, and I shall follow you as my eagles, as my standards.
Either I deceive myself and am mocked by excessive desire, or the hope of a more convenient exile is at hand.