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Latino
Traduzione
Inglese
X.47
Vitam quae faciant beatiorem
Iucundissime Martialis haec sunt:
Res non parta labore, sed relicta;
Non ingratus ager, focus perennis;
Lis numquam, toga rara, mens quieta;
Vires ingenuae, salubre corpus
Prudens simplicitas pares amici;
Convictus facilis, sine arte mensa;
Nox non ebria, sed solute curis;
Non tristis torus, et tamen pudicus;
Somnus qui faciat breves tenebras:
Quod sis esse velis, nihilque malis;
Summum nec metuas diem nec optes.
X.47
Sufficiency from father passed
A field not stubborn and a native hall,
No suits of law that life outlast
And those of business hardly worn at all.
Daily bliss
Depends on this
And on a mind not passion’s thrall.
These, dearest Martial, are life's treasure:
Strength not more than body's vigor tends,
Of trust and prudence equal measure,
And, near to you in fortune, chosen friends.
Around one placed
Their easy grace
A joy to artless table lends.
Your night absolving of all care,
Your sleep abbreviating shade of night,
Wine, but let it not impair
Repose or slow enthusiastic rite
Of happy bed.
Yet be it said
Lust never put your shame to flight.
Desire no man’s art or scope,
Be as you are, no day to envy lose.
Acquainted with both peace and hope,
Aware that long, whatever arts you use,
You cannot stay.
But your last day
May you neither fear nor choose.
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Translation details
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Commenti dell’autore:
I chose the stanza from Herbert’s “The Flower.” Paraphrase is pretty close, but the problem with this translation is a tone that oozes pretension to wisdom, while X.47 humbly appeals to common sense.
