Roman Roots in the
Country
Horace, Satires II.6
I. Horace begins by expressing a simple wish:
1
Hoc est votum meum: modus agri non ita magnus, ubi hortus
This
prayer
measure of land
so
2 sit et prope villam aquae fons semper fluens et parva silva super
there may be
3 his.
a spring of
water
flowing
small
In addition
to these
II. Later in the satire, Horace has his neighbor Cervius
relate the fable of the country mouse and city mouse:
4
Cervius fabulam narrat: “Olim mus rusticus fertur accepisse
story
tells
Once mouse
Is said
To have received
5 urbanum murem in cavo pauperi. Ambo erant amici veteres.
Of the city
mouse
hole
poor
Both
were
old
6 Mus rusticus asperam vitam agebat. Cibo parcebat, sed tamen
rough
life Was leading food
7 hospiti artum animum aperuit.
To (his) guest tight
mind
opened
Was careful
to use little
(food)
however
III. The city mouse is shocked by the harsh conditions in which his friend is living, and
convinces the country mouse to return to the city with him. He assures the country
mouse that they will have everything they want. The country mouse agrees. We pick
up Cervius’ narrative at the point where the city mouse is treating the country mouse
to a fabulous dinner (cena).
8
“Mus rusticus cubans gaudebat mutata sorte et in bonis rebus
reclining
Was glad
changed fate
9 Laetum convivam agebat.
Dinner guest
Was playing (the role of)
good
things
IV. A sudden intrusion makes the country mouse see
city life for what it really is and makes him prefer his
life in the country.
Screeching noise
10
From the couches
Knocked…from
“Subito ingens strepitus valvarum ex lectis utrumque excussit.
Of the folding doors
huge
Both of them
11 Ubi domus alta Molossorum canum latratu personuit, mures
When house
Of Molossia
dogs
barking
resounded
12 pavidi ex triclinio cucurrerunt. Tum mus rusticus, ‘Haud mihi
frightened Dining room
ran
then
Not at all me
13 haec vita placet!’ inquit. ‘Vale! Mea silva cavusque tutus ab
This
Is pleasing
14 insidiis me solabuntur cibo simplici.’”
From ambush me
Will comfort With simple food
hole -and safe
Pliny, Letters II.17
I.
1
Villa est usibus capax, sed tutela non est sumptuosa. Est in
For use roomy
maintenance
expensive
2 prima parte villae atrium frugi nec tamen sordidum, deinde sunt
first
atrium
plain But not
shabby
then
3 porticus in D litterae similitudinem circumactae, quae aream
In the likeness of
colonnades
rounded
courtyard
4 parvam sed festivam includunt. Hae porticus sunt adversus
small
cheerful
enclose
These
Against the weather
5 tempestates receptaculum egregium; fenestrae et multo magis
retreat
excellent
6 tecta imminentia eas muniunt.
roofs overhanging them
protect
window
Much more
II.
7
Est contra medias porticus cavaedium hilare, mox est
Facing the middle
Of the porticos
Inner hall
cheerful next
8 triclinium satis puchrum, quod in litus excurrit; ac si quando
Dining room enough pretty
which Onto the Runs out and
shore
If ever
9 Africus ventus mare impellit, triclinium fracti fluctus leviter
sea
African wind
stirs
broken waves
gently
10 lavant. Undique triclinium valvas aut fenestras non minores
wash From all sides
Folding doors or window No smaller than
The folding doors
11 valvis habet atque ita ab lateribus et ab fronte quasi tria maria
has
and thus From (its) sides From front So to
speak
Three seas
12 proscpectat; ab tergo respicit cavaedium, porticum, aream,
Looks out on
back Looks back on
colonnade
13 porticum rursus, mox atrium, silvas et longinquos montes.
again
Far away
mountains
A Pleasant Retreat
Horace, Letters I.16
I.
1
Fundus meus, optime Quinctu, arvo dominum pascit
Farm
Best Quinctius
With its
master
plowland
supports
2 opulentatque olivis, pomis, pratis et ulmo amicta vitibus.
With an clothed
enriches And With With With
olives Fruits meadows Elm tree
With
grapevines
3 Scribam tibi loquaciter de forma et situ agri. Montes non sunt
I will write To you At length About the appearance Of the mountains
And location
land
4 continui, sed opaca vallis dissociat eos. Sol veniens dextrum
unbroken
shady valleyseparates them sun coming right
5 latus vallis aspicit, discedens laevum latus curru fugiente
side Of the Looks at departing
valley
left
6 vaporat. Temperiem laudabis.
heats
Mild climate You will praise
With its fleeing chariot
II.
7
Benigni vepres rubicunda corna et pruna ferunt. Quercus et
abundant Bramble
Bushes
red
Cornel
cherries
Oak tree
plums
8 ilex multa fruge pecus et multa umbra dominum iuvant. Fons est
Holm With much cattle
oak fruit
With much
shade
master
help
spring
9 Etiam idoneus dare nomen rivo; Hebrus nec frigidior nec purior
even
To the River of Neither..
colder
stream Thrace nor..
suitable To give
purer
10 Thracium ambit. Aqua infirmo capiti fluit utilis et utilis alvo.
Winds water
through
Useful for flows
A sick head
For the stomach
11 Hae latebrae sunt dulces, etiam, si credis mihi, amoenae.
These hiding
places
pleasant
You believe me delightful
12 Incolumem tibi me praestant Septembribus horis.
safe
For you me
keep
In the hours of September