poovfa14

from FASTI - Book I	JANUARY 30
Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)	trans. A. S. Kline

Ipsum nos carmen deduxit Pacis ad aram:
.... haec erit a mensis fine secunda dies.
frondibus Actiacis comptos redimita capillos,
.... Pax, ades et toto mitis in orbe mane.
dum desint hostes, desit quoque causa triumphi:
.... tu ducibus bello gloria maior eris.
sola gerat miles, quibus arma coerceat, arma,
.... canteturque fera nil nisi pompa tuba.
horreat Aeneadas et primus et ultimus orbis:
.... siqua parum Romam terra timebat, amet.
tura, sacerdotes, Pacalibus addite flammis,
.... albaque perfusa victima fronte cadat;
utque domus, quae praestat eam, cum pace perennet
.... ad pia propensos vota rogate deos.
Sed iam prima mei pars est exacta laboris,
.... cumque suo finem mense libellus habet.

My song has led to the altar of Peace itself.
This day is the second from the month’s end.
Come, Peace, your graceful tresses wreathed
With laurel of Actium: stay gently in this world.
While we lack enemies, or cause for triumphs:
You’ll be a greater glory to our leaders than war.
May the soldier be armed to defend against arms,
And the trumpet blare only for processions.
May the world far and near fear the sons of Aeneas,
And let any land that feared Rome too little, love her.
Priests, add incense to the peaceful flames,
Let a shining sacrifice fall, brow wet with wine,
And ask the gods who favour pious prayer
That the house that brings peace, may so endure.
Now the first part of my labour is complete,
And as its month ends, so does this book.

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