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Marcus Valerius Martialis, Epig. 10.51 (ca. A.D. 85): Sidera iam Tyrius Phrixei respicit agni taurus et alternum Castora fugit hiems; ridet ager, vestitur humus, vestitur et arbor, Ismarium paelex Attica plorat Ityn. quos, Faustine, dies, quales tibi Roma Ravennam abstulit! o soles, o tunicata quies! o nemus, o fontes solidumque madentis harenae litus et aequoreis splendidus Anxur aquis, et non unius spectator lectulus undae, qui videt hinc puppes fluminis, inde maris! sed nec Marcelli Pompeianumque nec illic sunt triplices thermae nec fora iuncta quater nec Capitolini summum pentrale Tonantis quaeque nitent caelo proxima templa suo. dicere te lassum quotiens ego credo Quirino: ‘quae tua sunt, tibi habe: quae mea, redde mihi.' Now the Tyrian bull looks back at the stars of Phrixus' lamb and winter has fled alternate Castor The land is smiling, the soil is clothed and clothed the tree, the Attic adulteress mourns Ismarian Itys. Faustinus, what days, what *** has Rome taken from you! Ah suns, ah tunic-clad repose! Ah wood and fountains and the firm shore of moist sand and Anxur gleaming in her sea waters and the couch that gazes on double wave, seeing on one side river craft, on the other marine! But no theater of Marcellus or Pompeius is there, nor the triple baths, nor the four connecting forums, nor the topmost sanctuary of the Capitoline Thunderer and the shining temple close to its own sky. How often I believe you say in your weariness to Quirinus: "Keep what is yours; give me back what is mine." (D. R. Shackleton Bailey, trans.) |