Book 3, Chapter 43

LIBER III

CAPUT XLIII

Quintus Maecenati commendatur - Quintus is introduced to Maecenas

A few months later, Quintus was sitting in the garden thinking over a poem, when Virgil came in very excited. "Quintus," he said, "come with me, hurry; Maecenas is waiting for you. I've told him that you compose excellent poems; I've recited most of your poems for him, which have pleased him so much that he now wants to get to know you."

Maecenas was a dignified man, an old friend of Octavian; he was noble and rich, and used to say that he originated from Etruscan royalty (kings of Etruria). He'd never sought honours, but, although he was only an equestrian, Octavian regarded him so highly that he always used to consult him on matters of great importance. He used to study literature, and to honour the muses. He had assisted many poets, a few of whom he had received into his circle of friends.

Quintus, having followed Virgil, quickly arrived at Maecenas' estate. When he had entered the study, Maecenas was sitting at the table reading a book. He was fat and of short stature; he was not wearing a toga, but a loose tunic.

Virgil approached him and said, "Maecenas, I should like to introduce my friend Quintus Horatius Flaccus. He is the witty poet that I spoke of to you, whom you know." He, looking kindly at Quintus' face, said, "hello, Horace. Virgil has been speaking to me so often of you, that I've been wanting to know you for a long time. Tell me a bit about your parents, and of the course of your life."

Quintus was so shy that he could hardly speak. However, after having stammered a few words, he didn't say that he was born of a famous father, but told the truth. He gave Quintus a few answers and soon dismissed him.

Quintus was upset that he had shown himself unworthy of such a great man's friendship.

Eight months passed. Maecenas had not called him back. Quintus thought that he had displeased Maecenas; but Virgil said that Maecenas loved him and approved of his poems, but he was so busy with his affairs that he was neglecting his friends, had been a long time away from Rome, and without doubt would call Quintus back.

On the ninth month, Maecenas called Quintus back and brought him into the circle of his friends.

Exercise 43.1

1. Maecenas was so prudent that Octavian always confided in him.

2. He used to study letters to such an extent that he assisted many poets.

3. He reckoned Virgil so highly that he let him into the circle of his intimate friends.

4. Virgil so often had spoken to Maecenas about Quintus that he wished to get to know Quintus.

5. When Virgil had commended Quintus to Maecenas, he was so shy that he was unable to talk.

6. Quintus used to think that Maecenas despised him.

7. But Virgil said that Maecenas liked him and had been pleased by his poems.

8. At last, Maecenas, having recalled Quintus, told him to be one of his intimate friends.

Exercise 43.2

1. multi homines tam stulti erant ut Quintum contemnerent quod ille filius liberti erat.

2. sed Maecenas omnes aestimabat ingeniosi fuisse.

3. non rogavit utrum filii libertorum an nobili genere nati sint.
4. Maecanas tam negotiis occupatus est ut Quintum statim non revocaret.
5. sed mense nono eum revocatum iussit in numero amicorum suorum esse.
6. dixit se carminibus Quinti delectatum esse; promisit eum adiuturus esse.

Book 3, Chapter 42

LIBER III

CAPUT XLII

Pompeius ad patriam revenit - Quintus returns to his country

A few days after, Quintus met another old friend in the forum, for he caught sight of Pompey hurrying to the Palatium. He ran over and greeted him. "Pompey," he said, "have you finally returned to your country? Come with me and tell me where you have been, what you have done, and what you are going to do now." Having entered the tavern they asked for wine. When they had sat down, Pompey narrated what he had done and what he had been about to do now.

He said that when he had escaped out of the camp of Philippi with the rest, he had hidden for a long time in the mountains and in the woods. Finally, he had decided to go to Sextus Pompey and renew the war for the republic. "He was in Sicily; I arrived there with great difficulty. I was serving with him for two years, but he was doing nothing to profit the republic, and wasn't taking care of anything except the acquisition of gold and money for himself. Finally, when Octavian had promised pardon to his enemies, I, having escaped out of Pompey's camp, sailed to Italy. Now, having finally come back into Rome, I am hurrying to Octavian to seek his pardon."

Quintus said, "good! I'm glad that you have finally return to your country. I am certain that Octavian will give pardon to you, for he greatly desires to conciliate his enemies and lead Italy back to peace and leisure. But tell me, my friend, what you are going to do tomorrow. Don't you want to dine with me? We shall make a feast to celebrate your return."

Pompey answered that he would gladly come to the dinner, and went out to the Palatium to seek Octavian. Quintus hurried home in order to prepare everything for the feast. He invited many friends to the dinner, and many beautiful girls. He ordered his servants to prepare the best food and drink (wine); others he sent out to pick flowers and make wreaths. 

It was a magnificent feast. All the guests were rejoicing that Pompey had returned to Rome unharmed; he was very happy, because Octavian had given him his pardon. Everyone became extremely drunk. Finally Quintus, having made silence, recited a poem that he had composed in order to celebrate the return of his friend.

Exercise 42.1

1. paratis = paramini

2. monere = moneri 

3. regere = regi

4. audivisti = auditus es

5. caperemus = caperemur 

6. posuit = positus est

7. monete = monemini

8. tulimus = lati sumus

9. fecerunt = facti sunt

10. egisset = actus esset

Exercise 42.2

1. Quintus, when he had caught sight of Pompey in the forum, ran over to him.

2. He greeted his friend and asked him when he had returned to Rome.

3. Pompey said that he had returned to Rome in order to request the pardon of Octavian.

4. Quintus held it for certain that Octavian would give his pardon to him.

5. He asked Pompey to come to dinner. He answered that he would freely come to dinner with Quintus the following day.

6. Quintus, having called together his servants, order them to prepare dinner.

7. "Hurry," he said, "prepare everything so that we might celebrate Pompey's return."

8. Many of Quintus' friends, having entered his home, greeted Pompey.

9. The sun having set, Quintus bid his friends return home.

10. "Stay a little while," so that you can hear the poem that I've composed about Pompey's return."

Exercise 42.3

1. Pompeius dixit se diu in montibus celavisse.

2. dixit se iam Romam redisse ut veniam peteret.

3. Quintus pro certo habebat Octavianum se benigne accepturum esse.

4. Pompeium rogavit cenam venire; dixit plurimos amicos invitatos essent.

5. Pompeius promisit se venturum esse.

6. cum hospites omnes advenissent, cenam optimam fructi sunt vinumque multum biberunt.

7. cena confecta, Quintus carmen recitavit quod de Pompeio scripserat.

8. omnes hospites carmine gavisi Quintum laudaverunt.

Book 3, Chapter 41

LIBER III

CAPUT XLI

Quintus carmina facit - Quintus composes poems

Quintus was now receiving enough money so that he could live modestly; he was enjoying enough leisure that he could compose poems. He thus passed two years in contentment. He was often meeting Marcus Cicero, who knew that he was composing poems; who asked him to recite the poems to him. When he had heard them, he said that Quintus was a very good poet. He used to say to his friends that he had found a new poet; who used to want to hear these poems. Thus, Quintus' fame was gradually spreading. Quintus was hoping that he would soon finish an entire book of poetry.

We insert here one of these poems, in which he praises the life of a country farmer:

"Blessed is he, who far from business,

      like the ancient race of mortal men,
Works the ancestral farm with his oxen,
      Unbounded by any debt.

Neither as the soldier is he woken
      — by trumpet harsh.
Nor is he in dread
      — of the angry sea.

And while he shuns the market;
      So too does he avoid,
The haughty doorways,
      Of mightier persons.

Either he gazes upon a vale secluded,
      At wandering flocks braying;
Or gathers he up pressed honey,
      Into cleanly jars.

Or he shears his enfeebled sheep,
     As it pleases him to lay,
Now 'neath an ancient tree of oak,
     Now upon the clinging grass.

As meanwhile streams of water,
     Do flow, up high;
The birds upon the branches,
     Singing their complaint.

The fountains murmur,
     With flowing waters.
A thing which does invite,
     Dreams that are light."

                   [...]

So spoke Alfius the money-lender:

      "Now, now will I be a farmer!"

All the money he received on the fifteenth day,

      He seeks now to lend on the first.

     

Vergilius amicitiam Quinti petit - Virgil asks for Quintus' friendship

On a certain day Quintus, when he had left the treasury, was sitting in the shop under a tree, when a young man, unknown to him, approached. "Hello, Horace," he said, "I've been looking for you for a long time. I am Publius Vergilius Maro. A certain friend said to me that you are composing poems. I've been wanting to know you for a long time." Quintus got up and greeted him; he answered that he had read Virgil's poems and greatly admired them.

Virgil smiled at him; "I am glad," he said, "that you approve of my poems. But what are you going to do today? Or are you at leisure? Wouldn't you like to come home with me?"

Quintus was pleased that Virgil was seeking his own friendship, and followed him home. They were sitting in the garden until late at night, chatting amongst themselves. Quintus recited for him a poem that he had recently written about Alfius.

Virgil laughed and said, "I also have been trying to compose a poem about rustic matters. The things which you treat of satirically, I am exhibiting seriously; for I sing about the labours of the farmers, the beauty of the country, about the innocent and tranquil life of country folk." Quintus asked him to recite some of this poem of his, but he said that he would not recite it: "I have barely finished anything," he said, "I will recite them to nobody until they have been perfected." At last, Quintus arose and said that had to return home. Virgil, when he had bidden farewell to Quintus, said that he had greatly enjoyed his conversation: "I hope," he said, "that you shall often come here and shall recite your poems for me."

Exercise 41.1

(a) do

present active infinitive = dare

present passive infinitive = dari

perfect active infinitive = dedisse

perfect passive infinitive = datus esse

future active infinitive = daturus esse

(b) mitto 

present active infinitive = mittere

present passive infinitive = mitti

perfect active infinitive = misisse

perfect passive infinitive = missus esse

future active infinitive = missurus esse

Exercise 41.2

1. Quintus learns that his parents have left Venusia.

2. He hopes that he will find them on the road.

3. Gaius denies that he has seen them.

4. He believes they have set off to Capua.

5. Apollo promises that he will take care of Quintus.

6. Quintus finally realises that he will never see his parents hereafter.

7. Marcus says that Octavian has granted him pardon.

8. Quintus rejoices that he has been made a secretary of the treasury.

Exercise 41.3

1. Quintus learned that his parents had left Venusia.

2. He hoped that he would see them on the road.

3. Gaius said that he was going to travel to Capua.

4. Quintus answered that he would follow Gaius.

5. Those whom Quintus met on the road denied having seen his parents.

6.  The friends for whom Quintus had recited his poems were saying that they were very good.

7. Quintus was rejoicing that Virgil was seeking his friendship.

8. He was hoping that Virgil would approve of his poems.

9. Virgil said that he had been delighted by the poems of Quintus.

10. Quintus answered that Virgil's poems were very admired by himself.

Exercise 41.4

1. dixit magistrum iratum esse.

2. dixit Quintum in Italiam redisse.

3. dixit Quintum parentes eius quaesivisse.

4. dixit colonos ab agris expulsos esse.

5. negavit Quintum parentes eius Venusiae inventurum esse.

Exercise 41.5 

1. Marcus dixit se Quintum adiuturum esse.

2. dixit se quaestorem aerarii factum esse.

3. speravit Quintum se adiuturum esse.

4. Quintus gavisus est Marcum se credidisse.

5. Quintus cognovit officia gravia non futura esse.

6. speravit se carmina multa scripturum esse.

7. amicos narravit se carmina pauca scripsisse. 

8. amici dixerunt carmina eorum optima esse.

9. Quinto contentus et negavit se semper tam laetum esse

Book 3, Chapter 40

LIBER III

CAPUT XL

Quintus amico veteri occurrit - Quintus meets an old friend

Quintus stayed for ten days in Capua while searching for his parents, but he made no progress. Finally, he left Capua unhappy and started on the road which would take him to Rome. He was always asking the travellers on the road whether they had seen his parents, but nobody was able to tell him what had happened to them. He approached Rome at last, but dared not enter the city. He sat near the road worn out with concerns, and soon fell asleep (soon slept).

In a dream, the god Apollo appeared standing near him; he was carrying a lyre in his hands, and looked at Quintus with a friendly expression. "Quintus," he said, "listen to me. Henceforth, you shall never see your parents; do not fight destiny. It is time to enter a new course of your life. You must serve me and the muses. Trusting in me, bravely enter Rome. I shall protect you." Having said this, he handed his lyre over to Quintus; and having done so, he vanished.

Quintus, when he had woken up, rejoiced at his dream. He stood up, and entered the city. He didn't know what was going to happen in Rome, but, trusting in Apollo, he no longer feared the future.

A few days after, he was crossing the forum when a certain young man called him. He turned around and saw Marcus Cicero running towards him. Having embraced Quintus, he said, "hello, Quintus. How are you? So you have finally dared to return to Rome. Come with me and tell me everything that has happened to you since we conquered Philippi."

Marcus lead him to his home and, while they were sitting in the garden drinking wine, said, "tell me how you escaped the battle, and what you did afterwards." Quintus told him the whole story (everything). Marcus was listening to him intently, then asked him what he was going to do now. Quintus responded sadly, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm wasting away in poverty. I must taken on some work so that I can procure my bread." Marcus was quiet for a while, and then said, "Quintus, listen to me. I have an excellent plan. I was recently made quaestor of the treasury. Do you want to assist me? Do you want to become the treasury's secretary? The duties are not hard, and you shall receive enough money. I shall use your help liberally, Quintus. If tomorrow you arrive at the treasury at 8 am ("the second hour"), I will appoint you secretary."

Quintus, having faith in Marcus, rejoiced and gave him thanks. "Oh my dearest friend, you have shown me new hope. I shall be very pleased to assist you in the treasury. I shall be there tomorrow, at dawn (first light). He bid Marcus farewell and hurried home in order to prepare for his new office.

At dawn the following day, he was present in the treasury. The chief secretary received him graciously, because he was the friend of Marcus. He explained to Quintus what he had to do. His duties, just as Marcus had said, were not troublesome: he needed to take care of the public records, and to return responses to magistrates if anyone was asking about a given public affair. He was in the treasury by dawn every day.  His business being finished, he was in the habit of returning home by midday.

Responde Latine

1. cui confisus Quintus Romam intrare ausus est?

Apollo

2. cum Quintus Marco occurrisset, quid Marcus eum rogavit?

eum rogavit quae ei acciderint ex quo Philippis victi sunt.

3. quomodo Marcus Quintum adiuvit?

eum scribam aerarii creavit

4. quae officia debebat Quintus in aerario perficere?

officia non gravia erant; tabellas curare magistratibusque respondere erant.

Quintus a senatore maligno vexatur - Quintus is bothered by a spiteful senator

Quintus was working in the treasury, when a certain senator, having entered, summoned him with a loud voice. Quintus, busy with his work, did not run over to him at once. He, being a man of noble birth, was fat and arrogant; he was complaining, because Quintus, not abandoning his work immediately, had not given him a response. "Hurry, secretary," he said, "don't delay. I can't wait an entire day." Quintus hurried to him; "greetings, my senator," he said, "forgive me. I was occupied with my work. What do you want?"

He, looking spitefully at Quintus, asked him who he was and to what father he had been born. Quintus responded to him, "my name is Quintus Horatius Flaccus. My father, who used to live in Venusia, has died." Hearing this, he said, "now I remember. You are the friend of Marcus Cicero. Were you not born of a freedman? And you, the son of a freedman, were made military tribune in Brutus' army, and dared to command an entire legion? It's no wonder that Brutus was defeated, if he was forced to make the sons of freedmen his tribunes."

Quintus, who was used to hearing such insults, did not reply to this, but again asked him what he wanted. He said, "I do not wish to do business with the son of a freedman. Call another secretary." Quintus summoned another secretary, who did business with the senator. He returned to the record office, angry that he was so scorned by such a man.

Exercise 40.1

1. "Don't you want to buy this horse? I bought him for 30 denarii, but I will sell him to you for 20 denarii."
2. "If you rate him so highly, why do you wish to sell him so cheaply?"
3. "I want to sell him cheaply, because I now need the money."
4. "I value the horse far less than you do. Besides, I already have a better horse."
5. "Your horse is far worse than mine. How much do you reckon my horse is worth?"
6. "I think he's worth little. I shall give you 5 denarii."
7. "What are you talking about? 5 denarii! Don't speak nonsense. I'll sell him to you for 10 denarii."
8. "I'm not in need of a horse, but, because you need the money, look, I'll give you 8 denarii. However, I don't know when I'll be using such a horse."

Exercise 40.2

1. they were rejoicing
2. having rejoiced
3. rejoice!
4. you have rejoiced
5. to rejoice
6. you tended to
7. we have tended to
8. they tend to
9. having dared
10. you were daring to
11. I was becoming
12. He/she/it was made
13. to become
14. I am becoming
15. They had been made

Exercise 40.3

1. Quintus, inspired by Apollo, dared to enter Rome.
2. Quintus, havign been made secretary of the treasury, rejoiced.
3. Every day, he was in the habit of hurrying to the treasury where he would diligently perform his duties.
4. Quintus, despised by a senator, was becoming angry.
5. but to bear such insults tended not to bother him for a long time.
6. as he didn't greatly value the words of an arrogant man.

Exercise 40.4

1. in periculo maximo sumus. auxilio mihi opus sumus. hostes oppugnare non audemus.
2. hostes timere numquam soliti estis.
3. num ignavi nunc facti estis?
4. illam virtutem utimini quae saepe praebuistis antea.
5. vos multo fortior hostibus semper fuistis.
6. in deis credentes, me sequimini, milites, et fortiter pugnate ut patriam tuam defenderint.

Exercise 40.5

1. loquebamur, locuti sumus
2. gaudebant, gavisi sunt
3. ponebatis, posuistis
4. fiebant, facti sunt
5. confidebas, confisus es

Book 3, Chapter 39

LIBER III

CAPUT XXXIX

Quintus Venusiam Revisit - Quintus revisits Venusia

The gloomy farmer inspected Quintus. "Don't you know," he said, "what's taken place? Haven't you heard how great a calamity our colony has suffered?" Quintus said, "what are you saying? What has taken place? Tell me where my parents are." He said, "you won't find your parents here, as they've left. Come, Quintus, sit under the tree and listen to me. I'll tell you everything."

"Octavian, when he had returned to Italy from Greece, dismissed his legions; it was necessary to give fields to the military veterans. Therefore, he decided to take fields away from those citizens that hadn't assisted his own faction, and divide them among his veterans.* We knew nothing about this (these things) until the decemviri arrived in Venusia in order to take the fields away from us. Our citizens were complaining vehemently; they expelled the decemviri from the colony. However, they returned with soldiers, whom we couldn't resist.

"Most citizens lost their fields, among whom was your father, Quintus. Others stayed here, deprived of their fields, living out a miserable life in poverty; such as I, who am not rich, but I have enough.  Now I possess nothing except this little field, full of rocks and thistles. Others have left to seek a better life elsewhere, such as your father. What I am telling you is sad, but true. The whole of Italy has been turned upside down (overturned); neither justice nor the laws are faring well. With the farmers driven out, the fields are filthy. The veterans don't want to cultivate the fields, but squander their wealth in idleness."

Quintus, moved by anguish, interrupted the old man; "tell me," he said, "where I might find my parents. Don't you know where they've gone away to?" The old man said, "you will never find your parents, Quintus. The whole of Italy is filled with needy citizens wandering here and there."

Having heard this (these things), Quintus was filled with great despair. He sat on the ground for a long time, tears falling down his cheeks. Finally, he bid the old man farewell, who asked him where he was about to go. He said, "I don't know where I'm going. I only know this: I shall look for my parents throughout the whole of Italy."

He rose, and descended the hill, but when he had arrived at the gates of the colony, he halted. He didn't want to enter the colony and see his home occupied by strangers. He turned around, and set off on the road that would take him to Rome.

* I'm not sure about this sentence: constituit igitur agros adimere eis civitatibus quae suas partes non adiuverant veteranisque eos dividere.

Responde Latine

1. cur parentes Quinti Venusia abierunt?

ut vitam meliorem alibi quaererent.

2. qualem vitam agebat senex?

senex vitam miseram agebat.

3. cum Quintus senem audivisset, quid facere constituit?

parentes totam per Italiam quaerere constituit.

4. cur noluit Quintus coloniam intrare?

quod domum ab advenis occupatam videre noluit.

Quintus parentes suos quaerit - Quintus searches for his parents

The journey which, ten years ago, Quintus had made so quickly with his father, he was now making very slowly. He would stay in every village to look for his parents. He would meet Venusians on the road from time to time, and would ask them anxiously whether they had seen his parents; but nobody could tell him where he might find them.

When he was approaching Capua, he met an old friend; Gaius, who had attended Flavius' school with him, leading a wagon which was being dragged by two oxen, full of goods of every kind, on top of which his wife and two little children were sat.

Quintus ran over to Gaius and said hello (greeted him). He, having recognised him (Quintus), said, "hello, Quintus. I barely recognised you, as I haven't seen you since you set off to Rome with your father. How are you? Why are you going to Capua?" Quintus explained everything to him, and he asked Gaius whether he had seen his parents. He responded, "I don't know where your parents are now. When the decemviri had expelled us out of our fields, Flaccus and Scintilla set off with us out of Venusia. But when we had arrived at Beneventum, we lingered there for a little while, and they carried on to Capua. And so if you shall hurry to Capua, perhaps you will find them there."

Quintus gave him thanks. "You're the first," he said, "to have granted me any hope. I'll accompany you to Capua so that I might look for my parents there."

Exercise 39.1

1. Theomnestus asks Quintus what he has suffered.

2. Theomnestus asks Quintus what he is going to do now.

3. Theomnestus asks Quintus where he wants to go to.

4. We want to know when the ship will be leaving.

5. Ask the captain why the ship hasn't departed yet.

6. I don't know when we'll be arriving at the port.

7. Quintus asks the old man whether he has seen his parents.

8. The old man asks Quintus whether he is going to enter the colony or make the journey to Rome.

Exercise 39.2

1. Theomnestus asked Quintus what he had suffered.

2. Theomnestus asked Quintus what he was now going to do.

3. Theomnestus asked Quintus what he wanted to do.

4. We were wanting to know when the ship would be leaving.

5. I asked the captain why the ship hadn't departed yet.

6. I didn't know when we were going to arrive at the port.

7. Quintus asked the old man whether he had seen his parents.

8. The old man asked Quintus whether he was going to stay in the colony or make the journey to Rome.

Exercise 39.3 

1. Quintus, when he had arrived at Venusia, didn't know what had happened.

2. The old man, whom he met near the road, asked him why he had returned to Venusia.

3. "Don't you know," he said, "how many ills have befallen our colony?"

4. Quintus asked the old man whether his parents were still staying in Venusia.

5. The old man responded, "they have left Venusia. I don't know whether they've gone to Rome, or are staying in a village."

6. Having abandoned Venusia, Quintus began the journey which would take him to Rome.

7. Having set off to Rome, he asked everyone he met whether they had seen his parents.

Exercise 39.4

1. Quintus, while making the journey to Rome, met an old friend whom he asked whether he had seen (vidisset) his parents.

2. He said, "I do not know where your parents are (sint)."

3. Quintus asked him when had his parents left (discessissent) Venusia, and where they had gone (issent) to.

4. He responded, "your parents were going to Capua, but I do not know whether they are still staying (maneant) in Capua, or have set off (proficiscantur) to Rome."

5. He asked Quintus what he was going to do (esset).

Exercise 39.5 

1. nescimus quo colonus abierit.

2. pueros rogabo num eum viderint.

3. "pueri, scitisne ubi colonus sit?"

4. "eum rogavimus utrum domum rediturus esset an in agro mansurus, sed ille nihil respondit."

5. mox colonum in agrum intrantem vidimus. eum rogavimus cur nos non exspectavisset.

6. ille, "nescio quando," inquit, "mihi occurrere cuperetis. domum profectus sum ut cenarem, quod fessus eram."