as wealth and honours, neither craving their rewards nor fearing their loss. Nothing in excess should be one's rule even in the pursuit of Virtue. And bear in mind that, however much you may long for treasures of art, for fame and wealth, death must be the end of all (1-27).

You think I am wrong? If you are ill, you take medicine ; if you want to “ live well," and know that Virtue alone can give you that boon, follow her at all costs. If, on the contrary, you think Virtue a mere name, then make haste to get rich. Be not like the Cappadocian king, who was so poor, but rather be like Lucullus, who didn't know how wealthy he was (28-48). If you have set

your heart on office and honours, stoop to all the tricks of the politicians (49-55). If

living well means for you good eating (56-64) or love and pleasure (65, 66), then think of nothing else.

Such are my views. Have you anything better to offer? (67, 68).

66

VI.

✓ Nil admirari prope res est una, Numici, solaque quae possit facere et servare beatum.) hunc solem et stellas et decedentia certis tempora momentis sunt qui formidine nulla imbuti spectent : quid censes munera terrae, 5 quid maris extremos Arabas ditantis et Indos, ludicra quid, plausus et amici dona Quiritis, quo spectanda modo, quo sensu credis et ore ?

Qui timet his adversa, fere miratur eodem quo cupiens pacto : pavor est utrobique molestus, 10 improvisa simul species exterret utrumque.1 gaudeat an doleat, cupiat metuatne, quid ad rem, si, quicquid vidit melius peiusvea sua spe, defixis oculis animoque et corpore torpet ? insani sapiens nomen ferat, aequus iniqui,

15 ultra quam satis est Virtútem si petat: ipsam.

I nunc, argentum et marmor vetus aeraque et artes suspice, cum gemmis Tyrios miráre colores; gaude quod spectant oculi te mille loquentem; navus mane forum et vespertinus pete tectum, 20 ne plus frumenti dotalibus emetat agris Mutus et indignum, quod sit peioribus ortus)

1 exterret (-it R) utrumque, II: most editors exterruit utrum aE. 2 peiusne Ro.

petet a M. suscipe Exla.

spectent E.

4

4

EPISTLE VI

Marvel at nothing ”—that is perhaps the one and only thing, Numicius, that can make a man happy and keep him so. Yon sun, the stars and seasons that pass in fixed courses—some can gaze upon these with no strain of fear : what think you of the gifts of earth, or what of sea, which makes rich far distant Arabs and Indians—what of the shows, the plaudits and the favours of the friendly Roman -in what wise, with what feelings and eyes think you they should be viewed ?

9 And he who fears their opposites“ marvels” in much the same way as the man who desires : in either case 'tis the excitement that annoys, the momentsome unexpected appearance startles either. Whether a man feel joy or grief, desire or fear, what matters it if, when he has seen aught better or worse than he expected, his eyes are fast riveted, and mind and body are benumbed ? Let the wise man bear the name of madman, the just of unjust, should he pursue Virtue herself beyond due bounds.

17 Go now, gaze with rapture on silver plate, antique marble, bronzes and works of art; marvel at gems and Tyrian dyes ; rejoice that a thousand eyes survey you as you speak ; in your diligence get you to the Forum early, to your home late, lest Mutus reap more grain from the lands of his wife's dower, and (oh the shame, for he

25

30

hic tibi sit potius quam tu mirabilis illi. quidquid sub terra est, in apricum proferetl aetas, defodiet condetque nitentia. cum bene notum porticus Agrippae, via też conspexerit Appi, ire tamen restat Numa quo devenit et Ancus.

Si latus aut renes morbo temptantur acuto, quaere fugam morbi. vis recte vivere: quis non? si Virtus hoc una potest dare, fortis omissis hoc age deliciis.

Virtutem verba putas et lucum ligna : cave ne portus occupet alter, ne Cibyratica, ne Bithyna negotia perdas ; mille talenta rotundentur, totidem altera, porro et tertia succedant et quae pars quadretó acervum. 35 scilicet uxorem cum dote fidemque et amicos et genus et formam regina Pecunia donat, ac bene nummatum decorat Suadela Venusque. mancupiis locuples eget aeris Cappadoçum rex : ne fueris hic tu. chlamydes Lucullus, ut aiunt, 40 si posset centum scaenae praebere rogatus, qui possum tot ? ” ait; tamen et quaeram et quot

habebo mittam : " post paulo scribit sibi milia quinque esse domi chlamydum ; partem vel tolleret omnis. exilis domus est, ubi non et multa supersunt 45 et dominum fallunt et prosunt furibus. ergo proferat a M.

2 et via, II. putes ABentley.

4 et omitted a Mo. 5 quadrat aM.

nec E.

1

3

6

a Both were frequented by the fashionable world. The portico of Agrippa, near the Pantheon, was opened in 25 B.C. For the Appian Way cf. Epode iv. 14 and Sat. i. 5. 6.

• This is a proverbial expression, applicable to the material

tever is an he at

31 Do

you“ marvel ” at him rather tlou happy will bring into the light whathis task, arth ; it will bury deep and hide

pright. When Agrippa's colonnade, when Appius's waya has looked upon your well-known form, still it remains for you to go where Numa and Ancus have

gone

down before. 28 If your chest or reins are assailed by a sharp disease, seek a remedy for the disease. You wish to live aright (and who does not ?); if then Virtue alone can confer this boon, boldly drop trifles and set to work !

you

think Virtue but words, and a forest b but firewood ? Take care lest your rival make harbour first, lest you lose your ventures from Cibyra and Bithynia. Suppose you round off a thousand talents; as many in a second lot; then add a third thousand, and enough to square the heap. Of course a wife and dowry, credit and friends, birth and beauty, are the gift of Queen Cash, and the goddesses Persuasion and Venus grace the man who is well-to-do. The Cappadocian king is rich in slaves, but lacks coin : be not like him. Lucullus, 'tis said, was asked if he could lend a hundred cloaks for the stage. How can I so many ?” he answers,“ yet I'll look and send as many as I have.”

A little later he writes : “I have five thousand cloaks at home; take some or all.” Poor is the house where there's not much to spare, much that escapes the master and profits his

a

с