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.