§3.1.1Aequor Iasonio pulsatum remige primum, §3.1.2quaeque nec hoste fero nec nive, terra, cares, §3.1.3ecquod erit tempus quo vos ego Naso relinquam §3.1.4in minus hostili iussus abesse loco?
Sea first beaten by Jason's rowers, and land, which is not free from either savage enemy or snow, will there ever be a time when I, Naso, will leave you, ordered to be away in a less hostile place?
Or must I always live in that barbarous land, and must I be buried in Tomitan soil?
§3.1.7pace tua, si pax ulla est tua, Pontica tellus, §3.1.8finitimus rapido quam terit hostis equo, §3.1.9pace tua dixisse velim, tu pessima duro §3.1.10pars es in exilio, tu mala nostra gravas.
With your permission, if there is any peace of yours, Pontic land, which the neighboring enemy treads with his swift horse, with your permission I would wish to say, you are the worst part in my harsh exile, you aggravate our evils.
Neither do you feel spring girt with a flowery crown, nor do you see the naked bodies of the reapers.
Nor does autumn stretch out to you the vine-covered grapes: but immoderate cold holds all seasons.
You hold the straits bound with ice, and in the sea the fish confined has often swum in covered water.
§3.1.17nec tibi sunt fontes, laticis nisi paene marini, §3.1.18qui potus dubium sistat alatne sitim,
Nor do you have springs, unless of water almost like that of the sea, which when drunk leaves it doubtful whether it stops or feeds thirst.
§3.1.19rara, neque haec felix, in apertis eminet arvis §3.1.20arbor, et in terra est altera forma maris.
Rarely, and even this is not fortunate, does a tree stand out in the open fields, and on the land there is another form of the sea.
No bird sings, unless in the remote woods some bird drinks the sea water with its hoarse throat.
Sad wormwood bristles through the empty plains, and a bitter harvest suitable for its place.
§3.1.25adde metus, et quod murus pulsatur ab hoste, §3.1.26tinctaque mortifera tabe sagitta madet, §3.1.27quod procul haec regio est et ab omni devia cursu, §3.1.28nec pede quo quisquam nec rate tutus eat.
Add fears, and that the wall is battered by the enemy, and the arrow is wet, dipped in deadly poison, and that this region is far away and out of the way of every course, and no one can go safely either by foot or by ship.
Therefore it is no wonder, to those seeking an end to these things, if another land is constantly sought by us.
It is more wondrous, wife, that you do not achieve this, and that you are able to hold back your tears in my misfortunes.
§3.1.33quid facias, quaeris? quaeras hoc scilicet ipsum,
Are you asking what you should do?
§3.1.34invenies, vere si reperire voles.
Ask indeed this very thing, you will find it, if you truly wish to discover.
§3.1.35velle parum est: cupias, ut re potiaris, oportet, §3.1.36et faciat somnos haec tibi cura breves,
To wish is too little: you must desire, so that you may gain the object, and let this care make your sleeps brief.
I believe many wish it: for who could be so unjust to me, that he would pray for my exile to lack peace?
It is fitting for you to apply yourself with your whole breast and all your strength, and to strive for me night and day.
And though others may help, you must surpass friends, wife, and come first to your own part.
§3.1.43magna tibi imposita est nostris persona libellis: §3.1.44coniugis exemplum diceris esse bonae.
A great role has been imposed on you by our little books: you are said to be the example of a good wife.
Beware of degenerating from this, so that our praises may be true; see what work of fame you must protect.
Though I myself complain of nothing, fame will complain on my silent behalf, as it ought to do, unless you have care for me.
Fortune has exposed me to the people to be seen, and has given me more notoriety than there was before.
§3.1.51notior est factus Capaneus a fulminis ictu. §3.1.52notus humo mersis Amphiaraus equis, §3.1.53si minus errasset, notus minus esset Ulixes: §3.1.54magna Philoctetae vulnere fama suo est.
Capaneus became more known from the stroke of the lightning, Amphiaraus was known by his horses swallowed by the earth, if he had wandered less, Ulixes would be less known: great is the fame of Philoctetes because of his wound.
§3.1.55si locus est aliquis tanta inter nomina parvis, §3.1.56nos quoque conspicuos nostra ruina facit, §3.1.57nec te nesciri patitur mea pagina, qua non §3.1.58inferius Coa Bittide nomen habes,
If there is any place for the small among such great names, our ruin also makes us conspicuous, nor does my page allow you to be unknown, on which you have a name not inferior to Coan Bittis.
Whatever you do therefore, you will be watched on a great stage, and you will be a devoted wife with not a few witnesses.
§3.1.61crede mihi, quotiens laudaris carmine nostro, §3.1.62qui legit has laudes, an mereare rogat, §3.1.63utque favere reor plures virtutibus istis, §3.1.64sic tua non paucae carpere facta volent.
Believe me, as often as you are praised in our song, whoever reads these praises asks whether you deserve them, and just as I believe more favor those virtues of yours, so not a few women will wish to carp at your deeds.
§3.1.65quarum tu praesta ne livor dicere possit §3.1.66haec est pro miseri lenta salute viri. §3.1.67cumque ego deficiam, nec possim ducere currum, §3.1.68fac tu sustineas debile sola iugum.
Ensure that their envy cannot say: 'She is slow for the safety of her miserable husband.' And when I fail, and cannot drive the chariot, make sure that you alone support the weak yoke.
§3.1.69ad medicum specto venis fugientibus aeger: §3.1.70ultima pars animae dum mihi restat, ades; §3.1.71quodque ego praestarem, si te magis ipse valerem, §3.1.72id mihi, cum valeas fortius ipsa, refer.
I look to the doctor as a sick man with fleeing veins: while the last part of my soul remains to me, be present; and what I would perform, if I myself were stronger than you, return that to me, since you yourself are stronger.
Shared love and the marriage covenant demand this: wife, you yourself demand this by your habits.
§3.1.75hoc domui debes, de qua censeris, ut illam §3.1.76non magis officiis quam probitate colas, §3.1.77cuncta licet facias, nisi eris laudabilis uxor, §3.1.78non poterit credi Marcia culta tibi.
You owe this to the house from which you are estimated, that you honor it no less by honesty than by services, though you may do everything, unless you are a praiseworthy wife, Marcia cannot be believed to have been honored by you.
Nor are we unworthy: nor, if you wish to confess the truth, is no gratitude due to my services.
§3.1.81redditur illa quidem grandi cum faenore nobis,
It is indeed returned to us with a great interest,