# Prīmus et Secundus Annus, Capita 6–10

Puer Romanus

Iūppiter rēgem avium creāre voluit; Rōma; Nocturna Lemūria; Dē mānibus; Dē somniīs

Source: https://1732studios.com/courses/la/10. Data: https://1732studios.com/courses/la/10.json.

## Iūppiter rēgem avium creāre voluit (Puer Rōmānus 6)

**1** Ubi Fundīs discessimus, rīdēbāmusque hominis glōriam āc vānitātem, māter nostra, ‘Heus vōs,’ inquit, ‘voltisne fābulam vōbīs dē grāculō dīcam?’  
When we had left Fundi, and were laughing at the man's boasting and vanity, our mother said, 'Now then, do you want me to tell you a story about a jackdaw?'

**2** Cuī ego, ‘Dīc, precor,’ inquam, ‘dīc, dummodo nōn sit cōgnātus Hannibalis.’  
To which I said, 'Tell it, I beg you, tell it, so long as he is no relation of Hannibal's.'

**3** At māter, ‘Favēte,’ inquit, ‘linguīs, et audiētis.  
But my mother said, 'Hold your tongues, and you shall hear.

**4** Iūppiter rēgem avium creāre cum vellet, certō diē conventum avium indīxit, quō omnēs adessent, isque avem omnium fōrmōsissimam praeficeret rēgem.  
When Jupiter wished to make a king of the birds, he called an assembly of the birds for a fixed day, on which they were all to be present, and he was to make the most beautiful bird of all their king.

**5** Tum grāculus, dēfōrmitātī suae diffīsus, nemora atque arva peragrāvit, plūmāsque quās pulcherrimās ubīque vidēbat collēctās sibi circumposuit.  
Then the jackdaw, mistrusting his own ugliness, ranged over woods and fields, and gathered up the most beautiful feathers he saw anywhere and put them round himself.

**6** Ita pāvōnis aliārumque avium plūmīs fōrmōsissimus omnium est factus.  
So with the feathers of the peacock and of the other birds he was made the most beautiful of them all.

**7** Diēs indictus advenit, avēsque omnēs ad Iovem advolant.  
The appointed day came, and all the birds flew to Jupiter.

**8** Neque aberat ipse grāculus, variō plūmārum colōre splendidissimus.  
Nor was the jackdaw himself missing, most splendid with the many colours of his feathers.

**9** Iam Iūppiter hunc rēgem erat factūrus, ut omnium dīgnissimum, sed cēterae īrātae propriam singulae plūmam eī abstulērunt; isque ita nūdātus iterum grāculus, ut ante, factus est.’  
Jupiter was now about to make him king, as the worthiest of them all, but the others in their anger each took back her own feather from him; and so, stripped bare, he was made a jackdaw again, as he had been before.'

**10** Quā dictā fābulā, ‘Cūr,’ inquit frāter, ‘fōrmōsissimum Iūppiter factūrus erat rēgem?  
When this story had been told, my brother said, 'Why was Jupiter going to make the most beautiful bird king?

**11** Nōnne dīgnior rēgnō erat fortissimus atque prūdentissimus?’  
Surely the bravest and wisest was worthier of the kingship?'

**12** Tum ego, ‘Sed quis,’ inquam, ‘creātus est rēx?  
Then I said, 'But who was made king?

**13** Sed illa ‘Nōlīte’ inquit ‘nimis multa rogāre.  
But she said, 'Do not ask too many questions.

**14** Fābula dēmōnstrat quam ineptum sit aliōrum virtūtēs sibi arrogāre, ut facit ille praefectus.  
The story shows how foolish it is to claim other people's merits for oneself, as that prefect does.

**15** Sed satis collocūtī sumus; ecce, Ānxur!’  
But we have talked enough; look, Anxur!'

**16** Tum vidēmus oppidum saxīs lātē candentibus impositum, unde per canālem lintre iter erat faciendum.  
Then we see the town set on its broad gleaming rocks, from which we had to go on by boat along the canal.

**17** Oppidum erat nautīs et caupōnibus differtum.  
The town was crammed with boatmen and innkeepers.

**18** Quanta, convīcia inter puerōs nautāsque!  
What abuse between the slave boys and the boatmen!

**19** Aes exigitur, mūla adligātur: ‘Hūc appelle lintrem!  
The fare is demanded, the mule is harnessed: 'Bring the boat in here!

**20** Propius, propius, nē in aquam dēcidāmus!  
Closer, closer, or we shall fall into the water!

**21** Quid?  
What?

**22** Trecentōs īnseris?  
Are you packing in three hundred?

**23** Lintrem dēmergēs, improbe!  
You will sink the boat, you rascal!

**24** Ohē, iam satis est!’  
Hold on, that is enough now!'

**25** Sīc tōta hōra abit.  
So a whole hour goes by.

**26** Ubi tandem cōnscendimus, rēpitque mūla per rīpam, malī culicēs palustrēsque rānae somnōs adimunt, dum nauta, quī lintrem gubernat, et viātor, quī mūlam dūcit, cantant mūtua.  
When at last we get aboard, and the mule creeps along the bank, wicked gnats and marsh frogs take away our sleep, while the boatman, who steers the boat, and a traveller, who leads the mule, sing to each other in turn.

**27** Tandem mūliō, fessus āc vīnō madidus, dormīre volt; mūlam pāstum ēmīttit, retinācula saxō religat, supīnusque stertit.  
At last the muleteer, tired and soaked with wine, wants to sleep; he lets the mule out to graze, ties the rope to a rock, and lies on his back snoring.

**28** Iam diēs aderat; expergīscimur, et sentīmus lintrem nōn prōcēdere.  
Day was there already; we wake up, and notice that the boat is not moving on.

**29** Statim pater meus, homo cerebrōsus, prōsilit, āc nautae caput lumbōsque fuste dolat; et vix dēmum quartā hōrā ad Forum Appiī expōnimur.  
At once my father, a hot-headed man, leaps up and beats the boatman's head and loins with a stick; and only at the fourth hour, and barely then, are we put ashore at the Forum of Appius.

**30** Hinc profectī Rōmam pervenīmus; diē sextō decimō postquam Brundisiō exiimus.  
Setting out from here we reached Rome, on the sixteenth day after we left Brundisium.

**31** Diē igitur sextō decimō iter dēmum cōnfēcimus, namque, ut dīxī anteā, per trīduum prīmum imbribus erāmus oppressī.  
On the sixteenth day, then, we finished the journey at last, for, as I said before, we had been held up by rain for the first three days.

**32** Sed Rōmam tandem laetī pervēnimus.  
But at last we reached Rome in high spirits.

**33** Per portam Capēnam urbem intrāmus.  
We enter the city through the Capena gate.

**34** Quantam multitūdinem hominum!  
What a crowd of people!

**35** Quot mīlitēs!  
How many soldiers!

**36** Quantum clāmōrem!  
What an uproar!

**37** Crēdideram equidem similem fore Rōmam nostrō Brundisiō.  
I had believed, for my part, that Rome would be like our Brundisium.

**38** Sed inter aliās urbēs tantum effert caput quantum quercus inter dūmēta.  
But among other cities she lifts her head as high as an oak among brushwood.

**39** Ad portam Capēnam omnibus est dēscendendum ab equīs carrīsque; per viās enim urbis equīs rēdīsque vehī noctū quidem licet, diē nōn licet.  
At the Capena gate everyone must get down from horses and carts; for in the streets of the city one may ride with horses and carriages by night, but not by day.

**40** Nōbīs tamen licuit, quia pater meus magistrātus est summae dīgnitātis.  
We were allowed to, however, because my father is a magistrate of the highest rank.

**41** Vehimur igitur praeter Circum Māximum ad pontem Tiberīnum, deinde relictō ponte per arborēs Iāniculum ascendimus, ubi amīcus patris meī domum māgnificam habet.  
So we ride past the Circus Maximus to the Tiber bridge, then, leaving the bridge, we climb the Janiculum through the trees, where a friend of my father's has a splendid house.

**42** Intrāmus, salūtāmus et salūtāmur, ad cēnam vocāmur; cēnatī in hortōs exīmus ut ā summō monte urbem spectēmus.  
We go in, we greet and are greeted, we are invited to dinner; after dinner we go out into the gardens to look at the city from the top of the hill.

**43** Admīrantibus nōbīs hospes noster versūs dēclāmat, quōs poēta clārissimus dē vīllā suā composuit.  
As we admire it our host declaims the verses which a very famous poet composed about his own house.

**44** Audīte.  
Listen.

**45** Iūlī iūgera pauca Mārtiālis,  
The few acres of Julius Martialis,

**46** hortīs Hesperidum beātiōra,  
more blessed than the gardens of the Hesperides,

**47** longō Iāniculī iugō recumbunt.  
lie along the Janiculum's long ridge.

**48** hinc septem dominōs vidēre montēs  
From here one may look on the seven ruling hills

**49** et tōtam licet aestimāre Rōmam,  
and take the measure of all Rome,

**50** Albānōs quoque Tusculōsque collēs,  
the hills of Alba and Tusculum too,

**51** Fīdēnās veterēs brevēsque Rubrās.  
old Fidenae and little Rubrae.

**52** illinc Flāminiae Salāriaeque  
From there the traveller of the Flaminian and Salarian ways

**53** gestātor patet essedō tacente,  
is in view, his carriage making no sound,

**54** nē blandō rota sit molesta somnō,  
so that the wheel may not disturb gentle sleep,

**55** quem nec rumpere nauticus tumultus,  
which neither the boatmen's din

**56** nec clāmor valet helciāriōrum,  
nor the shouting of the haulers can break,

**57** cum sit tam prope Mulvius, sacrumque  
though the Mulvian bridge is so near, and the keels

**58** lāpsae per Tiberim volent carīnae.  
go gliding down the holy Tiber.

**59** hoc rūs, seu potius domus vocanda est,  
This country place, or rather this house as it should be called,

**60** commendat dominus; tuam putābis,  
its master commends; you will think it your own,

**61** tam nōn invida tamque līberālis  
so ungrudging and so generous,

**62** tam cōmī patet hospitālitāte.  
so kindly is the welcome it offers.

**63** Nōnne sunt summā arte compositī, summō ingeniō?  
Are they not composed with the greatest art and the greatest genius?

**64** Postquam hospes dēclāmāvit, omnēs plausimus; deinde redīmus dormītum, quia tam longō itinere fatīgātī cupimus ōtiō nostrō fruī, ut crās urbem propius spectēmus.  
When our host had finished declaiming we all applauded; then we go back to sleep, because, worn out by so long a journey, we want to enjoy our rest, so as to look at the city closer tomorrow.

**65** Accidit ut Iūppiter rēgem avium creāre…  
It happened that Jupiter … a king of the birds.

**66** In eō erat ut Iūppiter rēgem avium…  
Jupiter was on the point of … a king of the birds.

**67** Nūllō modō fierī potest ut Iūppiter rēgem avium…  
It can in no way come about that Jupiter … a king of the birds.

**68** Iūppiter nōn efficere potuit ut rēgem avium…  
Jupiter could not bring it about that … a king of the birds.

**69** Quōmodo fīēbat ut Iūppiter rēgem avium…?  
How did it come about that Jupiter … a king of the birds?

**70** Avium interest ut Iūppiter rēgem avium…  
It is in the birds' interest that Jupiter … a king of the birds.

**71** Restat ut Iūppiter rēgem avium…  
It remains that Jupiter … a king of the birds.

**72** Accidit ut Iūppiter grāculum rēgem factūrus…  
It happened that Jupiter … about to make the jackdaw king.

**73** Nūllō modō fierī poterat ut Iūppiter grāculum rēgem…  
It could in no way come about that Jupiter … the jackdaw king.

**74** Accidit ut cēterae avēs propriam singulae plūmam grāculō…  
It happened that the other birds each … her own feather from the jackdaw.

**75** Fābulā dē grāculō nārrātā, quid rogāvit frāter meus?  
When the story of the jackdaw had been told, what did my brother ask?

**76** Quid deinde ego rogāvī?  
What did I ask next?

**77** Quid māter respondit?  
What did my mother answer?

**78** Quid dēmōnstrāvit fābula?  
What did the story show?

**79** Cūr ego et frāter fābulam reprehendimus?  
Why did my brother and I find fault with the story?

**80** Quāle oppidum erat Ānxur?  
What sort of town was Anxur?

**81** Quōmodo inde iter fēcimus?  
How did we travel on from there?

**82** Cūr dormīre nōn poterāmus?  
Why could we not sleep?

**83** Quid māne experrēctī sēnsimus?  
What did we notice when we woke in the morning?

**84** Quid igitur fēcit pater?  
What then did my father do?

**85** Praemium tibi dabō; putō tē esse praemiō dīgnum.  
I shall give you a reward; I think you are worthy of a reward.

**86** Iūppiter grāculum avium rēgem factūrus erat; putābat eum dīgnissimum esse.  
Jupiter was going to make the jackdaw king of the birds; he thought him the worthiest of all.

**87** Magister reprehendit puerum; putāvit eum nōn attentō esse animō.  
The master found fault with the boy; he thought he was not paying attention.

**88** Mendīcō cibum dedī; putāvī eum ēsurīre.  
I gave food to the beggar; I thought he was hungry.

**89** Praefectum irrīdēbāmus; putābāmus eum esse glōriōsum.  
We were laughing at the prefect; we thought he was a braggart.

**90** Magistrum timēmus; putāmus eum esse īrācundum.  
We are afraid of the master; we think he is quick-tempered.

**91** Magister mē laudat; putat mē bene fēcisse pēnsum meum.  
The master praises me; he thinks I have done my lesson well.

**92** Magister mē laudāvit; putāvit mē bene fēcisse pēnsum meum.  
The master praised me; he thought I had done my lesson well.

**93** Magister īrascēbātur; putābat discipulōs lūdere.  
The master was getting angry; he thought the pupils were playing.

**94** Magister ā frātre meō poenās sūmit; putat eum esse īgnāvum.  
The master exacts a penalty from my brother; he thinks he is lazy.

**95** Fenestra mihi aperienda est.  
The window must be opened by me.

**96** vel Oportet mē aperīre fenestram.  
or I must open the window.

**97** Omnibus est dēscendendum.  
Everyone must get down.

**98** vel Oportet omnēs dēscendere.  
or It is necessary that everyone get down.

**99** Iānua mihi claudenda est.  
The door must be shut by me.

**100** In lūdō nōbīs est discendum, nōn lūdendum.  
At school we must learn, not play.

**101** Iter nōbīs faciendum erat.  
We had to make the journey.

**102** Rōmānīs puerīs prīmā lūce ad lūdum eundum erat.  
Roman boys had to go to school at first light.

**103** Oportet mē clārā vōce loquī.  
I must speak in a clear voice.

**104** Oportet tē pēnsum tuum facere.  
You must do your lesson.

**105** Oportuit nōs tacēre.  
We had to keep quiet.

**106** Oportuit eōs pecūniam solvere.  
They had to pay the money.

**107** Festīnandum erat omnibus.  
Everyone had to hurry.

**108** Hic liber omnibus puerīs est recitandus.  
This book must be read aloud by all the boys.

**109** Estne Rōma similis Brundisiō?  
Is Rome like Brundisium?

**110** Ad portam Capēnam quid oportuit omnēs facere?  
At the Capena gate what did everyone have to do?

**111** Quando per viās urbis licet equīs vehī?  
When may one ride on horseback through the streets of the city?

**112** Cūr nōbīs tamen diē licuit?  
Why were we allowed to by day, all the same?

**113** Ubi vīllam habēbat patris meī amīcus?  
Where did my father's friend have his house?

**114** Cūr in hortōs cēnātī exiimus?  
Why did we go out into the gardens after dinner?

**115** Quālia dīxit Mārtiālis pauca sua iūgera esse?  
What did Martial say his few acres were like?

**116** Quid vidēre potuimus ex hōc locō?  
What could we see from this place?

**117** Cūr in tacente essedō vehitur gestātor Flāminiae?  
Why does the traveller of the Flaminian Way ride in a carriage that makes no sound?

**118** Cūr cupiēbāmus ōtiō nostrō fruī?  
Why did we want to enjoy our rest?

**119** Quōmodo sunt culicēs nōbīs incommodō?  
How are gnats a nuisance to us?

**120** Quālis est homo vīnō madidus?  
What is a man soaked with wine like?

**121** Cūr stertunt nōnnūllī hominēs dum dormiunt?  
Why do some men snore while they sleep?

**122** Quid fert quercus?  
What does the oak bear?

**123** Quālibus vehiculīs ūtimur in itinere faciendō?  
What sort of vehicles do we use in making a journey?

**124** Quid faciunt helciāriī?  
What do the haulers do?

**125** Quālis est hospes cōmis?  
What is a kindly host like?

**126** Quando ōtium agimus?  
When do we take our leisure?

**127** Quando negōtium agimus?  
When do we do business?

**128** Quid propriē sīgnificat carīna?  
What does carina properly mean?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| glōriam | glory, fame, from gloria |
| vānitātem | emptiness, untruthfulness, from vanitas |
| voltisne | volt |
| cōgnātus | related, related by birth |
| creāre | make, from creo |
| fōrmōsissimam | beautiful, finely formed, from formosus |
| praeficeret | put in charge, place in, from praeficio |
| dēfōrmitātī | ugliness, deformity, from deformitas |
| diffīsus | divine |
| nemora | wood, forest, from nemus |
| arva | arable land, plowed field |
| peragrāvit | travel over every part of, from peragro |
| plūmāsque | feather |
| collēctās | contribution, from collecta |
| circumposuit | put, from circumpono |
| pāvōnis | peacock, from Pavo |
| aliārumque | by another |
| plūmīs | feather, from pluma |
| indictus | not said |
| advolant | fly to, dash to, from advolo |
| singulae | apiece, from singulus |
| nūdātus | lay bare, strip, from nudo |
| dictā | dictate, from dicto |
| ineptum | silly, foolish, from ineptus |
| arrogāre | ask, question, from arrogo |
| collocūtī | talk, from colloquor |
| Ānxur | ring, circle |
| candentibus | be of brilliant whiteness, shine, from candeo |
| canālem | channel, from canalis |
| lintre | boat, skiff, from linter |
| differtum | full, filled, from differtus |
| convīcia | noise, chatter, from convicium |
| nautāsque | sailor, seaman |
| Aes | money, pay |
| exigitur | drive out, expel, from exigo |
| adligātur | bind, from adligo |
| Propius | nearer, closer |
| dēcidāmus | detach, cut off |
| Trecentōs | three hundred |
| īnseris | plant, sow, from insero |
| dēmergēs | submerge, from demergo |
| Ohē | hey! hey there! |
| cōnscendimus | climb up, ascend, from conscendo |
| rēpitque | creep, crawl, from rēpō |
| culicēs | gnat, midge, from culex |
| palustrēsque | marshy |
| rānae | frog, from rana |
| adimunt | withdraw, take away, from adimo |
| viātor | traveler |
| mūtua | borrowed, lent, from mutuus |
| mūliō | muleteer, mule driver |
| madidus | wet, moist |
| ēmīttit | hurl, from emitto |
| retinācula | rope, from retinaculum |
| religat | tie out of the way, from religo |
| supīnusque | lying face upwards, flat on |
| stertit | snore, from sterto |
| expergīscimur | awake |
| cerebrōsus | liable to be affected with |
| prōsilit | jump, from prosilio |
| lumbōsque | loins, from lumbus |
| fuste | staff club, from fustis |
| dolat | hew, fashion, from dolo |
| quartā | four |
| Hinc | from here, hence |
| cōnfēcimus | make together, from confacio |
| namque | for, and in fact |
| oppressī | press down, from opprimo |
| Capēnam | cape, cloak, from Capena |
| effert | stuffed |
| dūmēta | thicket, from dumetum |
| carrīsque | wagon |
| Tiberīnum | Tiber-, from Tiberinus |
| Iāniculum | the Janiculum |
| māgnificam | splendid, from magnificus |
| salūtāmur | greet |
| cēnatī | having dined, from cenatus |
| Admīrantibus | admire, respect, from admiror |
| versūs | line, verse |
| composuit | compare, from compono |
| iūgera | jugerum, from jugerum |
| beātiōra | blessed, blissful, from beatus |
| recumbunt | recline, lie at ease, from recumbo |
| aestimāre | value, assess, from aestimo |
| Albānōs | white precious stone, from Albani |
| Tusculōsque | little frankincense |
| collēs | hill, from collis |
| Fīdēnās | faith, loyalty, from Fidena |
| veterēs | ancients, men of old |
| brevēsque | Papal letter, Brief |
| Flāminiae | priest-assistantess, from Flaminia |
| Salāriaeque | regular official payment to the |
| gestātor | one who is carried, a |
| patet | stand open, be open, from pateo |
| essedō | war chariot, from essedum |
| blandō | flattering, coaxing, from blandus |
| rota | wheel |
| nauticus | nautical, naval |
| tumultus | commotion, confusion |
| helciāriōrum | he, from helciarius |
| carīnae | keel, bottom of ship, from carina |
| seu | or if, from sive |
| potius | able, capable, from potis |
| commendat | entrust, give in trust, from commendo |
| invida | hateful, ill disposed, from invidus |
| līberālis | honorable |
| cōmī | courteous, from comis |
| hospitālitāte | hospitality, entertainment of guests, from hospitalitas |
| compositī | made-up, from compositum |
| ingeniō | trick, clever device, from ingenium |
| plausimus | clapping |
| fatīgātī | weary, tire, from fatigo |
| fruī | enjoy, profit by, from fruor |
| efficere | bring about, from efficio |
| Restat | stand firm, from resto |
| grāculum | jackdaw |
| reprehendimus | hold back, seize, from reprehendo |
| inde | from that place, thence |
| experrēctī | awake, from expergiscor |
| attentō | attentive, heedful, from attendo |
| Mendīcō | beg for |
| ēsurīre | be hungry, hunger |
| irrīdēbāmus | ridicule, mock |
| īrācundum | angry, from iracundus |
| claudenda | limp, stumble, from claudeo |
| solvere | loosen, release, from solvo |
| Festīnandum | hasten, hurry, from festino |
| recitandus | read aloud, recite |
| incommodō | inconvenience, obstruct |
| stertunt | snore |

## Rōma (Puer Rōmānus 7)

**129** Longum est omnia, quae Rōmae sunt, dēscrībere.  
It would take long to describe everything that is at Rome.

**130** In septem montibus aedificāta est urbs Rōma; monte Palātīnō, monte Aventīnō, monte Capitōlīnō, colle Quirīnālī, colle Vīminālī, monte Esquilīnō, monte Caeliō.  
The city of Rome is built on seven hills: the Palatine, the Aventine, the Capitoline, the Quirinal rise, the Viminal rise, the Esquiline, the Caelian.

**131** Quōrum cūr duo sint collēs nōminātī, quīnque montēs, nesciō equidem.  
Why two of them are called rises and five hills, I myself do not know.

**132** Trāns Tiberim sunt etiam Iāniculum et mōns Vāticānus.  
Across the Tiber there are also the Janiculum and the Vatican hill.

**133** Inter Palātīnum, Capitōlīnum, Esquilīnum, situm est Forum.  
Between the Palatine, the Capitoline and the Esquiline lies the Forum.

**134** In monte Palātīnō erat prīma urbs, quam nōminant Rōmam quadrātam, cūius mūrus adhūc manet.  
On the Palatine hill was the first city, which they call the Square Rome, and its wall still stands.

**135** Herī in Forum dēscendimus.  
Yesterday we went down into the Forum.

**136** Hīc ad īmum Palātīnum vīdimus Ātrium Vestae.  
Here at the foot of the Palatine we saw the Hall of Vesta.

**137** In Forō sunt ā sinistrā tabernae veterēs, ā dextrā tabernae novae; in mediō lacus Curtius, in quem iuvenis ille nōbilis dēsiluit, ut patriam moriendō servāret.  
In the Forum there are the old shops on the left and the new shops on the right; in the middle is the pool of Curtius, into which that noble young man leapt down, to save his country by dying.

**138** Adversa autem cōnspicimus rostra, quae pulpita sunt ex quibus ōrātōrēs ōrātiōnēs habent ad populum.  
Opposite we catch sight of the rostra, which are the platforms from which the orators make their speeches to the people.

**139** Circum Forum alia sunt aedificia: Cūria, in quā dēlīberat senātus; Rēgia, in quā habitat Pontifex Māximus; trēs Basilicae, Porcia, Aemilia, Iūlia.  
Round the Forum there are other buildings: the Senate House, in which the senate debates; the Regia, in which the Chief Priest lives; three basilicas, the Porcian, the Aemilian, the Julian.

**140** In Basilicīs iūdicia conveniunt, negōtiātōrēs rem agunt.  
In the basilicas the courts meet and the men of business do their business.

**141** Hinc per Viam Sacram ascenditur in Capitōlium.  
From here one goes up by the Sacred Way to the Capitol.

**142** Hāc viā triumphantēs vehuntur ducēs, ut grātiās agant Iovī Capitōlīnō.  
By this road generals ride in triumph, to give thanks to Jupiter of the Capitol.

**143** Habet Capitōlium duo capita; in alterō templum est Iovis, in alterō Arx.  
The Capitol has two summits; on one is the temple of Jupiter, on the other the Citadel.

**144** Inter Vīminālem et Esquilīnum est Subūra.  
Between the Viminal and the Esquiline is the Subura.

**145** Hīc habitant plēbēiī; virī autem lautissimī in Palātīnō.  
Here the common people live; the grandest men live on the Palatine.

**146** Sunt alia quoque fora; forum Iūlī, quod fēcit C. Iūlius Caesar, et forum Augustī, quae duo cum forō Rōmānō tria sunt fora māxima; sed est et forum holitōrium, ubi holera vendunt, et forum boārium, in quō bovis est statua māgna.  
There are other forums too: the forum of Julius, which Gaius Julius Caesar made, and the forum of Augustus, which two with the Roman Forum are the three greatest forums; but there is also the vegetable market, where they sell greens, and the cattle market, in which there is a great statue of an ox.

**147** Ut tria sunt fora, sīc tria theātra in quibus lūdōs scaenicōs spectāmus.  
As there are three forums, so there are three theatres in which we watch the plays.

**148** In Circō Māximō cursūs sunt equōrum, in Amphitheātrō gladiātōrēs inter se pūgnant.  
In the Circus Maximus there are horse races, in the Amphitheatre gladiators fight each other.

**149** In thermīs balneīsque lavāmur.  
In the hot baths and the baths we wash.

**150** Sed dē hīs longum est nārrāre; haec hāctenus.  
But it would take long to tell of these; so much for that.

**151** Vereor enim nē tē tantum Rōmae taedeat quantum mē Hannibalis.  
For I am afraid you may grow as sick of Rome as I did of Hannibal.

**152** Dum per urbem ambulō, vīdī in Vīcō Tuscō domum spatiōsam atque māgnificam, cūius ad frontem erat titulus hūiusmodī:  
While I was walking through the city, I saw in the Tuscan Street a roomy and splendid house, on the front of which was a notice of this kind:

**153** DOMVS HAEC LOCĀTVR EX KALENDĪS IV̄LIĪS CONDVCTOR CONVENĪTŌ BALBVM M. FRONTŌNIS SERVVM.  
THIS HOUSE IS TO LET FROM THE FIRST OF JULY. LET THE TENANT APPLY TO BALBUS, THE SLAVE OF MARCUS FRONTO.

**154** Dum haec perlegō rīsit aliquis ex comitibus.  
While I was reading this through, one of my companions laughed.

**155** Cuī ego ‘Quid rīdēs?’ inquam.  
I said to him, 'What are you laughing at?'

**156** At ille ‘Num īgnōrās, inquit ‘īnfāmem esse hanc domum?  
But he said, 'Surely you know that this house has a bad name?

**157** Mānēs enim hīc habitant.  
For ghosts live here.

**158** Per silentium noctis sonus ferrī audītur et strepitus vinculōrum.  
Through the silence of the night the sound of iron is heard and the clanking of chains.

**159** Mox appāret simulācrum, senex prōmīssā barbā et horrentī capillō et crūribus et manibus catēnās ferreās gerit quatitque.  
Soon a shape appears, an old man with a long beard and bristling hair, and he wears iron chains on his legs and hands and shakes them.

**160** Incolae terrōre perculsī tōtā nocte vigilant; unde morbus īnsequitur, crēscente autem timōre, mors etiam.  
The people who live there are struck with terror and lie awake the whole night; from that comes illness, and, as their fear grows, death as well.

**161** Inde dēserta stat domus, ut vidēs, tōtaque illī mōnstrō relicta.  
So the house stands deserted, as you see, and left wholly to that monster.

**162** Prōscrīpsit tamen M. Frontō, vir callidissimus, sī quis tantī malī īgnārus condūcere velit’.  
All the same Marcus Fronto, a very shrewd man, has put up the notice, in case anyone who knows nothing of so great an evil should be willing to rent it.'

**163** Post aliquot diēs dum per vīcum eundem ambulāmus, titulum dēreptum vīdimus, iānuam apertam; audīvimus philosophum aliquem condūxisse.  
Some days later, while we were walking along the same street, we saw the notice torn down and the door open; we heard that some philosopher had rented the house.

**164** ‘Ō stultum’ inquam, ‘mox eum temeritātis paenitēbit.’  
'What a fool,' I said, 'he will soon be sorry for his rashness.'

**165** ‘Īmmō vērō’ inquit comes ‘dē omnibus certior est factus.  
'On the contrary,' said my companion, 'he has been told everything.

**166** Nam cum audīvisset, quantula esset pēnsiō, vīlitātem suspicātus, tantō acūmine singula quaerit ut dēcipī nōn possit; sed nihilōminus, īmmō tantō magis condūcit.’  
For when he had heard how small the rent was, he suspected it was cheap for a reason, and asks about every detail so shrewdly that he cannot be deceived; but he rents it none the less, or rather all the more.'

**167** At ego, ‘Vereor tamen nē hominem paeniteat aliquandō.’  
But I said, 'All the same I am afraid the man may be sorry one day.'

**168** Abīmus, et quid ēventūrum sit exspectāmus.  
We go away and wait to see what will happen.

**169** Postrīdiē nōn cēssāmus adīre domum; turba adest māxima, fūnus dūcitur, nēniās canunt, exsequiās eunt omnēs.  
The next day we do not fail to go to the house; a very great crowd is there, a funeral is being led out, they are chanting the dirges, everyone is going to the burial.

**170** ‘Nōnne dīxī’ inquam ‘fore ut paenitēret philosophum illum temeritātis?  
'Did I not say,' I said, 'that the philosopher would be sorry for his rashness?

**171** Herī domum condūxit, hodiē sepelītur’.  
Yesterday he rented the house, today he is being buried.'

**172** Statim ex turbā ‘Favē linguā’ exclāmat aliquis ‘vīvit enim adhūc philosophus, et ipse hominem sepelit’.  
At once someone out of the crowd calls out, 'Hold your tongue, for the philosopher is still alive, and it is he who is burying the man.'

**173** Tunc ego admīrātus ‘Quid ergō’ inquam ‘factum est, bone vir?’  
Then in astonishment I said, 'What has happened then, my good man?'

**174** Ille in hunc modum respondet: ‘Ubi advesperāscere coepit iubet sternī sibi in prīmā domūs parte, poscit cērās, stilum, lūmen; suōs omnēs in interiōra dīmīttit; ipse ad scrībendum oculōs, manum, animum intendit, ne vacua mēns simulācra et inānēs metūs fingeret.  
He answers in this way: 'When evening began to come on he orders a bed to be made for him in the front part of the house, and calls for his tablets, his pen and a lamp; he sends all his household into the inner rooms; he himself fixes his eyes, his hand and his mind on his writing, so that his mind might not be empty and invent shapes and groundless fears.

**175** Initiō nihil nisi silentium noctis; dein concutī ferrum, vincula movērī.  
At first there was nothing but the silence of the night; then iron was rattled and chains were moved.

**176** Ille nōn tollere oculōs, nōn remīttere stilum, sed fīrmāre animum.  
He did not raise his eyes or let go his pen, but steadied his mind.

**177** Tum crēbrēscere fragor, adventāre, āc iam est in līmine, iam ut intrā līmen audīrī.  
Then the noise grew, came nearer, and now it is on the threshold, now it is heard inside the threshold.

**178** Respicit; videt āgnōscitque nārrātam sibi effigiem.  
He looks round; he sees and recognizes the figure that had been described to him.

**179** Illa stābat innuēbatque digitō, similis vocantī; hīc rūrsus cērīs et stilō incumbit.  
It stood and beckoned with its finger, like someone calling; he bends over his tablets and pen again.

**180** Illa scrībentis capitī catēnās īnsonābat; hic rūrsus respicit, videt idem quod anteā innuentem, nec morātus tollit lūmen et sequitur.  
It rattled its chains over the head of the writer; he looks round again, sees the same thing beckoning as before, and without waiting takes up the lamp and follows.

**181** Ībat illa lentō gradū, quasi gravis vinculīs; postquam dēflexit in āream domūs, repente dīlāpsa est in aurās.  
It went with a slow step, as if weighed down by its chains; after it had turned aside into the courtyard of the house, it suddenly melted away into the air.

**182** Hic autem locum effodit; inveniuntur ossa catēnīs īnserta atque implicita, quae collēcta iam sepeliuntur.’  
Then he digs up the place; bones are found set about and tangled with chains, and now they have been gathered up and are being buried.'

**183** Quibus audītīs, exclāmō ‘Et sunt tamen quī negent esse mānēs.  
When I had heard this I exclaimed, 'And yet there are people who deny that there are ghosts.

**184** Adeant igitur, et discant ab expertīs’.  
Let them come here, then, and learn from those who know.'

**185** Ubi situm est forum Rōmānum?  
Where is the Roman Forum situated?

**186** Ubi est Iāniculum?  
Where is the Janiculum?

**187** Quid est in forō?  
What is in the Forum?

**188** Cūr in lacum dēsiluit Curtius?  
Why did Curtius leap down into the pool?

**189** Cūr vehuntur ducēs per Viam Sacram in Capitōlium?  
Why do generals ride up to the Capitol by the Sacred Way?

**190** Ubi aguntur cursūs equōrum?  
Where are horse races held?

**191** Ubi nōs lavāmus?  
Where do we wash?

**192** Quō in locō pūgnant gladiātōrēs?  
In what place do gladiators fight?

**193** Cūr ita nōminātur forum boārium?  
Why is the cattle market so named?

**194** Ubi spectāmus lūdōs scaēnicōs?  
Where do we watch the plays?

**195** Vereor nē taedeat tē Rōmae.  
I am afraid you may grow sick of Rome.

**196** Timeō nē fessus sīs.  
I am afraid you may be tired.

**197** Nōs discipulī verēmur nē magister īrascātur.  
We pupils are afraid the master may get angry.

**198** Timent nē gladiātōrēs sē laedant.  
They are afraid the gladiators may hurt them.

**199** Timet nē in balneīs summergātur.  
He is afraid of being drowned in the baths.

**200** Timēbāmus ut possēmus emere holera.  
We were afraid we should not be able to buy greens.

**201** Timēbam nē ōrātiōnem habēret.  
I was afraid he would make a speech.

**202** Verēbar nē in colle āscendendō lāberētur rēda.  
I was afraid the carriage would slip while it climbed the hill.

**203** Verēbāmur ut possēmus rānam in palūde invenīre.  
We were afraid we should not be able to find a frog in the marsh.

**204** Veritī sunt omnēs nē multitūdō hominum lintrem dēmergeret.  
They were all afraid the crowd of people would sink the boat.

**205** Quid rogāvī eum quī rīdēbat dum ego titulum frontī domūs affīxum perlegō?  
What did I ask the man who was laughing while I read through the notice fixed to the front of the house?

**206** Quid mihi dīxit ille dē domō?  
What did he tell me about the house?

**207** Quāle dīxit esse simulācrum?  
What did he say the shape was like?

**208** Quid dīxī cum audiissem philosophum hanc domum condūxisse?  
What did I say when I had heard that a philosopher had rented this house?

**209** Quid postrīdiē putābam cum fūnus vidērem?  
What did I think the next day when I saw the funeral?

**210** Cūr poposcit philosophus cērās, stilum, lūmen?  
Why did the philosopher call for his tablets, his pen and a lamp?

**211** Quid audīvit mediā nocte?  
What did he hear in the middle of the night?

**212** Quid faciēbat effigiēs?  
What was the figure doing?

**213** Postquam philosophus locum, quem dēmōnstrāverat effigiēs, effōdit, quid invēnit?  
After the philosopher had dug up the place the figure had shown him, what did he find?

**214** Quid deinde fēcit?  
What did he then do?

**215** Quid fit ex rostrīs?  
What is done from the rostra?

**216** Quid accidit in Basilicīs?  
What happens in the basilicas?

**217** Quid faciunt negōtiātōrēs?  
What do men of business do?

**218** Ubi est Subūra? Quālēs hīc habitant?  
Where is the Subura? What sort of people live there?

**219** Quid est forum holitōrium?  
What is the vegetable market?

**220** Quis locat domum?  
Who lets a house?

**221** Quid est contrārium verbī ‘locō‘?  
What is the opposite of the verb 'to let'?

**222** Cūr prōscrībimus domōs?  
Why do we put up notices on houses?

**223** Quid est nēnia?  
What is a dirge?

**224** Quando exsequiās īmus?  
When do we go to a burial?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| Palātīnō | Palatine, from Palatinus |
| Aventīnō | willing, cheerful, from Aventinus |
| Capitōlīnō | belonging to the Capitol, Capitoline, from Capitolinus |
| Vīminālī | twig, shoot |
| Caeliō | kind of beer, from Caelius |
| Vāticānus | kept-outwards |
| quadrātam | square up, make square, from quadro |
| lacus | lake |
| Curtius | mutilated |
| Adversa | enemy |
| pulpita | stage, wooden platform, from pulpitum |
| ōrātōrēs | orator, from orator |
| Cūria | senate |
| dēlīberat | weigh, from delibero |
| Pontifex | high priest |
| Porcia | sow, female swine |
| Aemilia | Aemilian, from Aemilius |
| iūdicia | trial, legal action, from judicium |
| negōtiātōrēs | wholesale trader or dealer, from negotiator |
| triumphantēs | triumph over, from triumpho |
| Vīminālem | twig, shoot |
| Subūra | valley between Esquiline and Viminal |
| plēbēiī | plebeian, from plebeius |
| lautissimī | elegant, fashionable |
| Augustī | Augusta, from Augustus |
| holitōrium | pertaining to vegetables, from olitorius |
| holera | vegetables, from holus |
| boārium | of oxen, from bovarius |
| scaenicōs | theatrical, from scaenicus |
| Amphitheātrō | amphitheater, from amphitheatrum |
| thermīs | warm, from thermae |
| balneīsque | baths, from balnea |
| hāctenus | thus far |
| Vereor | fear |
| Tuscō | your, from Tuscus |
| spatiōsam | spacious, wide, from spatiosus |
| titulus | title |
| hūiusmodī | of this kind |
| CONDVCTOR | employer, from conductor |
| CONVENĪTŌ | be appropriate to, fit |
| BALBVM | unidentified plant, from Balbus |
| FRONTŌNIS | man with broad, from Fronto |
| perlegō | read over |
| comitibus | companion, comrade, from comes |
| īnfāmem | notorious, disreputable, from infamis |
| Mānēs | flow, pour, from mano |
| sonus | noise, sound |
| ferrī | iron, from ferrum |
| strepitus | noise, racket |
| simulācrum | likeness, image |
| prōmīssā | promise, from promissum |
| barbā | beard |
| horrentī | dread, shrink from, from horreo |
| catēnās | chain, from catena |
| ferreās | iron, made of iron, from ferreus |
| quatitque | shake |
| terrōre | terror, fear, from terror |
| perculsī | strike down, from percello |
| vigilant | remain awake, be awake, from vigilo |
| morbus | sickness, illness |
| īnsequitur | pursue, from insequor |
| timōre | fear, from timor |
| dēserta | abandoned |
| Prōscrīpsit | announce, make public, from proscribo |
| callidissimus | crafty, sly, from callidus |
| īgnārus | ignorant |
| condūcere | draw, collect, from conduco |
| dēreptum | seize, from deripio |
| philosophum | philosophical, from philosophus |
| temeritātis | rashness, from temeritas |
| pēnsiō | payment, installment |
| vīlitātem | cheapness, from vilitas |
| suspicātus | mistrust, suspect, from suspicor |
| acūmine | sharpened point, spur, from acumen |
| dēcipī | cheat, from decipio |
| nihilōminus | never, notwithstanding |
| ēventūrum | come out, from evenio |
| turba | commotion, uproar |
| fūnus | burial, funeral |
| nēniās | funeral dirge sung, from nenia |
| exsequiās | funeral procession, obsequies, from exsequiae |
| sepelītur | bury, from sepelio |
| Tunc | then, thereupon |
| ergō | therefore |
| advesperāscere | evening is coming on, it, from advesperasco |
| coepit | begin, commence, from coepio |
| sternī | spread, strew, from sterno |
| poscit | ask, demand, from posco |
| cērās | wax, beeswax, from cera |
| lūmen | light |
| interiōra | those within |
| intendit | hold out, from intendo |
| vacua | empty, vacant, from vacuus |
| inānēs | void, empty, from inanis |
| metūs | fear |
| fingeret | mold, form, from fingo |
| Initiō | beginning, commencement, from initium |
| concutī | shake, from concutio |
| remīttere | send back, remit, from remitto |
| crēbrēscere | become frequent, increase |
| fragor | noise, crash |
| adventāre | approach, come to, from advento |
| līmine | threshold, entrance, from limen |
| Respicit | look back at, from respicio |
| āgnōscitque | recognize, realize |
| effigiem | image, likeness, from effigies |
| innuēbatque | nod or beckon |
| rūrsus | again, in turn |
| incumbit | lean forward, press on, from incumbo |
| īnsonābat | make a loud noise, from insono |
| innuentem | nod or beckon, from innuo |
| quasi | as if, just as if |
| dēflexit | bend downwards, from deflecto |
| āream | area, from area |
| repente | sudden, unexpected, from repens |
| dīlāpsa | run, spread, from dilabor |
| aurās | air, breeze, from aura |
| effodit | dig out, excavate |
| ossa | bones, from ossum |
| īnserta | fiber |
| implicita | implicate, from implicito |
| expertīs | free from, from expers |
| laedant | strike, from laedo |
| summergātur | plunge under, submerge |
| emere | buy, purchase, from emo |
| palūde | swamp, marsh, from palus |
| affīxum | fasten, annex, from adfigo |
| audiissem | hear, listen |
| locat | place, put, from loco |
| prōscrībimus | announce, make public |

## Nocturna Lemūria (Puer Rōmānus 8)

**225** Domum reversus patrem rogāvī num et apud nōs essent mānēs.  
When I had got home I asked my father whether there were ghosts in our house too.

**226** ‘Nōn putō esse’ respondit, ‘namque domō nostrā quotannīs omnēs ēiciō.’  
'I do not think there are,' he answered, 'for every year I drive them all out of our house.'

**227** ‘Mānēs ēicis, ō pater!’ exclāmāvī.  
'You drive out the ghosts, father!' I exclaimed.

**228** ‘Īmmō hodiē’ inquit ‘ēiciam; ēiciendī enim sunt a. d. VII Īdūs Māiās—Māius scīlicet mēnsis ā nōmine māiōrum dūcitur—et dum tū in lectulō dormīs ego mediā nocte sacra quaedam, quae Nocturna Lemūria appellantur, celebrābō, nē ūllae lārvae apud nōs habitent.’  
'Indeed today,' he said, 'I shall drive them out; for they must be driven out on the seventh day before the Ides of May (May, of course, takes its name from the elders), and while you are asleep in your little bed I shall in the middle of the night perform certain rites, which are called the Nightly Lemuria, so that no spectres may live in our house.'

**229** Quae cum audīvissem mātrem ōrāvī ut ad mediam noctem mihi pervigilāre licēret, ut patrem vidērem haec sacra agentem; māterque benīgna veniam mihi dedit.  
When I had heard this I begged my mother to let me stay awake until midnight, so that I might see my father performing these rites; and my kind mother gave me leave.

**230** Nunc igitur quod vīdī vōbīs nārrābō.  
So now I shall tell you what I saw.

**231** Nam pater, veteris memor rītūs, mediā nocte surgit, nūdīsque pedibus per domum ambulat.  
My father, mindful of the old rite, gets up in the middle of the night and walks through the house with bare feet.

**232** Extentā dextrā sīgnum sacrum dedit, nē lārvae occurreret; sīgnum fēcit hōc modō—salūtarī digitō minimōque extentīs, medium et minimō proximum pollice iūnctōs in palmam dēpressit.  
With his right hand stretched out he made the holy sign, so that no spectre might meet him; he made the sign in this way: with the forefinger and the little finger stretched out, he pressed the middle finger and the one next to the little finger into the palm, joined by the thumb.

**233** Deinde manūs lāvit pūrās atque septem fabās nigrās ōrī imposuit, aliāsque fabās, voltū āversō, suprā umerum iēcit; sed dum iacit  
Then he washed his hands clean and put seven black beans in his mouth, and threw other beans over his shoulder with his face turned away; and while he throws them

**234** ‘Hīs’ inquit, ‘redimō mēque meōsque fabīs’.  
'With these beans,' he says, 'I redeem myself and mine.'

**235** Noviēns hunc dīxit versum, neque respēxit; fabās umbra putātur colligere, et, nūllō vidente, hominem ā tergō sequī.  
He said this line nine times, and did not look back; the ghost is thought to gather up the beans and, with no one seeing, to follow the man from behind.

**236** Ubi rūrsus aquā pater sē lūstrāvit et aere tinnītum fēcit, ōrāvit ut umbrae ē tēctīs suīs exīrent.  
When my father had purified himself again with water and made a ringing with bronze, he begged the ghosts to go out of his house.

**237** Noviēns clāmāvit ‘Mānēs exīte paternī’; tum dēmum respēxit et sacra rīte sunt perācta.  
Nine times he cried, 'Go out, ghosts of my fathers'; then at last he looked back, and the rites were duly finished.

**238** Cūr nōn putat pater et apud nōs esse mānēs?  
Why does my father not think that there are ghosts in our house too?

**239** Cūr celebrat Nocturna Lemūria?  
Why does he keep the Nightly Lemuria?

**240** Cūr ōrāvī mātrem ut ad mediam noctem mihi licēret pervigilāre?  
Why did I beg my mother to let me stay awake until midnight?

**241** Quid fēcit māter?  
What did my mother do?

**242** Quando surrēxit pater?  
When did my father get up?

**243** Cūr faciēbat sīgnum sacrum dum per domum ambulat?  
Why was he making the holy sign while he walks through the house?

**244** Quōmodo faciēbat hoc sīgnum?  
How did he make this sign?

**245** Quid deinde fēcit?  
What did he do next?

**246** Quid dīcēbat dum fabās suprā umerum iacit?  
What did he say while he throws the beans over his shoulder?

**247** Quid putant hominēs hīs fabīs accidere?  
What do men think happens to these beans?

**248** Cūr ita nōminātur mēnsis Māius?  
Why is the month of May so named?

**249** Quid est digitus salūtāris?  
What is the forefinger?

**250** Quōmodo appellantur cēterī digitī?  
What are the other fingers called?

**251** Cūr lūrida est umbra?  
Why is a ghost pale?

**252** Quid propriē sīgnificat fulcrum?  
What does fulcrum properly mean?

**253** Ad quid hominēs efferimus?  
For what purpose do we carry men out?

**254** Quid est sāga?  
What is a wise woman?

**255** Quō aliō modō appellantur lemurēs?  
By what other name are the lemures called?

**256** Quālis est claudus?  
What is a lame man like?

**257** Quid est cyathus?  
What is a ladle?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| reversus | turn back, go back, from reverto |
| ēiciō | accomplish, perform |
| d | ante diem, from a. d. |
| Māiās—Māius | May, from Maius |
| Nocturna | nocturnal, of night, from nocturnus |
| Lemūria | malevolent ghosts of the dead |
| celebrābō | celebrate, from celebro |
| ūllae | any, from ullus |
| lārvae | evil spirit, from larva |
| pervigilāre | remain awake all night, from pervigilo |
| memor | remembering |
| rītūs | rite |
| nūdīsque | bare, naked, from nūdus |
| minimōque | cinnabar-red, from minimus |
| pollice | thumb, from pollex |
| iūnctōs | connected in space, adjoining, from junctus |
| palmam | palm, from palma |
| dēpressit | suppress, force, from deprimo |
| fabās | bean, from faba |
| ōrī | breeze, breath, from aurum |
| voltū | face, expression, from vultus |
| redimō | buy back, recover |
| Noviēns | new, fresh |
| vidente | way, road, from videns |
| lūstrāvit | purify cermonially, cleanse by sacrifice, from lustro |
| tinnītum | ringing, clanging, from tinnitus |
| paternī | father's, paternal, from paternus |
| rīte | duly, according to religious usage |
| salūtāris | healthful, health-giving |
| lūrida | sallow, wan, from luridus |
| fulcrum | fulcrum |
| efferimus | savage, cruel |
| sāga | witch, sorceress |
| lemurēs | malevolent ghosts of the dead |
| cyathus | 1 |

## Dē mānibus (Puer Rōmānus 9)

**258** Etenim poētae docent esse mānēs, nam meminī mē hoc carmen apud Propertium lēgisse:—  
And indeed the poets teach that there are ghosts, for I remember reading this poem in Propertius:

**259** Sunt aliquid mānēs, lētum nōn omnia fīnit,  
The ghosts are something; death does not end everything,

**260** lūridaque ēvictōs effugit umbra rogōs.  
and the pale shade escapes the pyre it has overcome.

**261** Cynthia namque meō vīsa est incumbere fulcrō,  
For Cynthia seemed to lean over my bed's head,

**262** murmur ad extrēmae nūper humāta viae:  
lately buried by the murmur of the road's edge,

**263** cum mihi somnus ab exsequiīs pendēret amōris,  
while my sleep hung in suspense after the burial of my love,

**264** et quererer lectī frīgida rēgna meī.  
and I was mourning the cold kingdom of my bed.

**265** eōsdem habuit sēcum, quibus est ēlāta capillīs,  
She had with her the same hair with which she was carried out,

**266** eōsdem oculōs, laterī vestis adūsta fuit.  
the same eyes; her dress was scorched along her side.

**267** et solitum digitō bēryllon adēderat īgnis,  
The fire had eaten away the beryl she used to wear on her finger,

**268** summaque Lēthaeus trīverat ōra liquor:  
and the water of Lethe had worn away her lips.

**269** spīrantīsque animōs, et vōcem mīsit, at illī  
She sent out a living spirit and a voice, but her

**270** pollicibus fragilēs increpuēre manūs.  
frail hands rattled at the thumbs.

**271** Condiscipulī tamen meī nōnnumquam mē irrīdent quod cōnfitear mē crēdere esse mānēs; eīs autem versūs Horātī commemorō.  
My schoolfellows, however, sometimes laugh at me because I admit that I believe there are ghosts; but I remind them of the lines of Horace.

**272** Somnia, terrōrēs magicōs, mīrācula, sāgās,  
Do you laugh at dreams, magic terrors, marvels, wise women,

**273** nocturnōs lemurēs portentaque Thessala rīdēs?  
the ghosts of the night and the portents of Thessaly?

**274** Immō vērō patrem iterum rogāvī quid ipse dē mānibus rē vērā cēnsēret.  
Indeed I asked my father again what he himself really thought about ghosts.

**275** ‘Haud sciō’ respondit ‘an mānēs rē verā sint.  
'I do not know,' he answered, 'whether there really are ghosts.

**276** Erat enim mihi quondam amīcus pauper, ē puerō claudus, quī rūrī habitābat.  
For I once had a poor friend, lame from boyhood, who lived in the country.

**277** Ōlim advena quīdam forēs vesperī pulsāvit; pauper ille iūssit alterum intrāre, quī intrāvit vīnumque poposcit; ille ōrāvit hunc ut ipse cyathum quaereret, sē enim quippe quī claudus esset cyathum quaerere nōn posse.  
One day a stranger knocked at his door in the evening; the poor man told him to come in, and he came in and asked for wine; the poor man begged him to look for a ladle himself, since being lame he could not look for a ladle.

**278** Advena igitur rogāvit quamdiū claudus esset, pauperque respondit sē ē puerō fuisse.  
So the stranger asked how long he had been lame, and the poor man answered that he had been so from boyhood.

**279** Cuī advena “Possum” inquit “tē sānāre.  
The stranger said to him, 'I can cure you.

**280** Sī laurī frondēs vīnō hōc tuō imbūtās per complūrēs diēs ēderis in prīstinam corporis valētūdinem redigēris; sed deōs praecipuē cūrā rīte colās”.  
If you eat bay leaves soaked in this wine of yours for several days, you will be brought back to your former health of body; but take particular care to worship the gods duly.'

**281** Quae praecepta amīcus meus religiōsē secūtus mentem sānam, ut dīcitur, in corpore sānō adeptus est.  
My friend followed these instructions religiously and won, as they say, a sound mind in a sound body.

**282** Hic advena palliō erat amictus purpureō, quāle nēmo anteā illā in regiōne umquam vīderat; neque quisquam ē praetereuntibus virum tālī habitū amictum ūsquam post merīdiem vīdit.  
This stranger was wrapped in a purple cloak, such as no one in that region had ever seen before; nor did any of the passers-by ever see a man dressed in such a garb after midday.

**283** Mihi saltem nōn dubium est quīn imāgō fuerit.’  
To me at least there is no doubt that it was an apparition.'

**284** Cūr putat Propertius mānēs esse?  
Why does Propertius think that there are ghosts?

**285** Quālis eī vidēbātur Cynthia?  
How did Cynthia seem to him?

**286** Cūr nōnnumquam condiscipulī mē irrīdent?  
Why do my schoolfellows sometimes laugh at me?

**287** Quālis erat patris amīcus quī rūrī habitābat?  
What was my father's friend like who lived in the country?

**288** Quis eum vesperī vīsit?  
Who visited him in the evening?

**289** Cūr nōn poterat cyathum quaerere?  
Why could he not look for a ladle?

**290** Quid rogāvit advena?  
What did the stranger ask?

**291** Quid respondit alter?  
What did the other answer?

**292** Quid deinde dīxit advena?  
What did the stranger say next?

**293** Quid praecipuē imperāvit eī ut faceret?  
What did he particularly order him to do?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| Etenim | and indeed, because |
| Propertium | praetor, from Propertius |
| lētum | death |
| fīnit | limit, end, from finio |
| ēvictōs | overcome, conquer, from evinco |
| rogōs | funeral pyre, from rogus |
| Cynthia | tree in Arabia that produced |
| murmur | murmur |
| humāta | inter, bury, from humo |
| amōris | love, from amor |
| frīgida | cold, cool, from frigidus |
| ēlāta | make wild, from effero |
| laterī | brick, from later |
| adūsta | burn |
| bēryllon | beryl |
| adēderat | eat up, eat into, from adedo |
| Lēthaeus | of Lethe |
| liquor | be in molten, from liquo |
| spīrantīsque | coil |
| fragilēs | brittle, frail, from fragilis |
| increpuēre | rebuke, chide, from increpo |
| Condiscipulī | fellow pupil, from condiscipulus |
| irrīdent | ridicule, mock, from irrideo |
| cōnfitear | confess, admit, from confiteor |
| commemorō | recall |
| Somnia | dream, vision, from somnium |
| magicōs | magic, magical, from magicus |
| mīrācula | marvelously ugly woman |
| portentaque | omen, portent |
| mānibus | morning, morn, from Manes |
| cēnsēret | think, judge, from censeo |
| verā | wether, from verum |
| quondam | formerly, once |
| advena | foreigner, immigrant |
| forēs | gangway in a ship |
| sānāre | cure, heal, from sano |
| imbūtās | wet, soak, from imbuo |
| complūrēs | many, several |
| prīstinam | former, old-time, from pristinus |
| valētūdinem | health, from valetudo |
| redigēris | drive back |
| cūrā | care, trouble |
| praecepta | teaching, lesson, from praeceptum |
| religiōsē | carefully |
| adeptus | gain, secure, from adipiscor |
| palliō | cover, coverlet, from pallium |
| purpureō | purple, dark red, from purpureus |
| ūsquam | anywhere, in any place |
| quīn | so that not, without |
| imāgō | likeness, image |

## Dē somniīs (Puer Rōmānus 10)

**294** Cum pater mihi hanc fābulam dīxisset valdē gaudēbam quod ille quoque putābat esse mānēs.  
When my father had told me this story I was very glad, because he too thought that there are ghosts.

**295** Sed quia cōgnōscere volēbam quid dē somniīs cēnsēret, rogāvī eum num somnia quoque essent vēra; quī mihi respondit vēra alia, alia falsa esse: ‘Nōnne meministī, mī fīlī,’ inquit ‘quid Vergilius scrīpserit?  
But because I wanted to find out what he thought about dreams, I asked him whether dreams too were true; and he answered me that some are true and some are false: 'Surely you remember, my son,' he said, 'what Virgil wrote?

**296** Sunt geminae somnī portae, quārum altera fertur  
There are two gates of sleep, of which one is said

**297** cornea, quā vērīs facilis datur exitus umbrīs,  
to be of horn, by which an easy way out is given to true shades,

**298** altera candentī perfecta nitēns elephantō,  
the other made shining with gleaming ivory,

**299** sed falsa ad caelum mīttunt īnsomnia mānēs.’  
but by it the ghosts send false dreams up to the sky.'

**300** Cēterum ut bene intellegās nōnnūlla somnia vērum praedīcere fābulam tibi nārrābō, sī modo attentō eris animō.  
But so that you may understand well that some dreams foretell the truth, I shall tell you a story, if only you will pay attention.

**301** Num omnia sunt somnia vēra?  
Surely not all dreams are true?

**302** Utrā ex portā vērae veniunt umbrae?  
By which of the two gates do the true shades come?

**303** Quālis est porta altera?  
What is the other gate like?

**304** Quid hāc exit?  
What comes out by this one?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| falsa | falsehood, untruth, from falsum |
| geminae | twin, double, from geminus |
| cornea | made of, from corneus |
| exitus | exit, departure |
| perfecta | complete, finish, from perficio |
| nitēns | shine, glitter, from niteo |
| īnsomnia | wakefulness |
| Cēterum | whale |
| praedīcere | proclaim, from praedico |