Sat I:45-80 It’s a Litany of Crime

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  • Created by: Lydia22
  • Created on: 25-03-20 18:06
Quid referam quanta siccum iecur ardeat ira, cum populum gregibus comitum premit hic spoliator pupilli prostantis et hic damnatus inani iudicio?
How can I describe the fierce anger burning my fevered gut, When people are crushed by the herd behind some despoiler Who prostituted his ward, or one found guilty in a wasteful Trial?
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quid enim salvis infamia nummis?
How could disgrace matter if the money’s safe?
2 of 17
exul ab octava Marius bibit et fruitur dis iratis, at tu victrix provincia ploras.
Marius Priscus, in exile, drinks all afternoon, enjoying The gods’ displeasure, while you, the dutiful winner, weep.
3 of 17
Haec ego non credam Venusina digna lucerna? haec ego non agitem?
Isn’t that worth shining a light on, one lit by old Horace? Isn’t that my task?
4 of 17
sed quid magis Heracleas aut Diomedeas aut mugitum labyrinthi
What better? No dull tales of Hercules, Please, or Diomedes, or that bellowing in the labyrinth,
5 of 17
et mare percussum puero fabrumque volantem, cum leno accipiat moechi bona, si capiendi ius nullum uxori,
Or the sea struck by the wing-wrecked son of a flying artisan, When a husband accepts a wife’s lover’s gifts, and no law Against her cheating:
6 of 17
doctus spectare lacunar, doctus et ad calicem vigilanti stertere naso?
expert now at staring up at the ceiling, An expert too at snoring over his cup through vigilant nose?
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cum fas esse putet curam sperare cohortis qui bona donavit praesepibus et caret omni maiorum censu, dum pervolat axe citato Flaminiam puer Automedon?
When someone who’s lavished his wealth on the horses, blown The family fortune, thinks he’s the right to expect a command, Just for racing his speeding chariot down the Flaminian Way, Like some puny Automedon?
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nam lora tenebat ipse, lacernatae cum se iactaret amicae.
Yes, he was clutching the rein, Himself, while showing off to his girlfriend, her in the cloak.
9 of 17
Nonne libet medio ceras inplere capaces quadrivio,
Surely I’m allowed to fill a fat notebook at the crossroads
10 of 17
cum iam sexta cervice feratur hinc atque inde patens ac nuda paene cathedra et multum referens de Maecenate supino signator falsi,
When they carry past, on six shoulders, no less, some false Signatory, exhibited, this side and that, in his almost bare Litter, one, strongly resembling the effeminate Maecenas,
11 of 17
qui se lautum atque beatum exiguis tabulis et gemma fecerit uda?
Who’s made himself distinguished and rich with the aid Of a brief roll of paper, and a moist signet ring?
12 of 17
Occurrit matrona potens, quae molle Calenum porrectura viro miscet sitiente rubetam instituitque rudes melior Lucusta propinquas per famam et populum nigros efferre maritos,
When a powerful lady is next, who mixes in dried toad’s Venom, while offering her husband mellow Calenian wine, Improves on Lucusta, by teaching her simple neighbours How to bury their skin-blotched husbands to public acclaim.
13 of 17
aude aliquid brevibus Gyaris et carcere dignum, si vis esse aliquid; probitas laudatur et alget.
If you want to be someone, do something worthy of prison, Exile on tiny Gyara – the honest are praised, but neglected.
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criminibus debent hortos praetoria mensas, argentum vetus et stantem extra pocula caprum,
It’s crime brings the gardens, mansions, elaborate dinners, Old silver plate, and those drinking-cups carved with goats.
15 of 17
quem patitur dormire nurus corruptor avarae, quem sponsae turpes et praetextatus adulter?
Who can sleep, for seducers of greedy daughters-in-law, Who can sleep, for impure brides and teenage adulterers?
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si natura negat, facit indignatio versum qualemcumque potest, quales ego vel Cluvienus.
If talent is lacking, then indignation can fashion my verse, Of such kind as poets like me, or Cluvenius, produce.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

quid enim salvis infamia nummis?

Back

How could disgrace matter if the money’s safe?

Card 3

Front

exul ab octava Marius bibit et fruitur dis iratis, at tu victrix provincia ploras.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Haec ego non credam Venusina digna lucerna? haec ego non agitem?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

sed quid magis Heracleas aut Diomedeas aut mugitum labyrinthi

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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