Since Tuscany and since the Aurelian highway, 7 after suffering the outrages of Goths with fire or sword, can no longer control forest with homestead or river with bridge, it is better to entrust my sails to the wayward sea. a p769 Repeated kisses I imprint on the gates I have to leave: unwillingly my feet cross the honoured threshold. I have chosen the sea, since roads by land, if on the level, are flooded by rivers if on higher ground, are beset with rocks.

Now that the dear city slackens her embrace, my homeland wins, and I can scarce feel patient with a journey deferred so late. Nay, if only the very springs could utter words, if only our very trees 6 could speak, they well might spur my laggard pace with just complaints and give sails to my yearning wishes. 'Tis sin further to overlook the tedious tale of disasters which the delay of halting aid has multiplied: now is the time after cruel fires on ravaged farms to rebuild, if it be but shepherd's huts. Our presence and our tears are what we owe to the ancestral home: service which grief has prompted ofttimes helps. 'Tis a lighter crime to neglect our countrymen when at their ease: our common losses call for each man's loyalty. P767 as from ethereal pole to pole of the celestial vault we believe there abideth the council of the Deity Supreme.īut 'tis my fortune that is plucked back from the well-loved land the fields of Gaul summon home their native. 5 Disfigured they are by wars immeasurably long, yet the less their charm, the more they earn pity. They share the power of their colleagues in the senatorial order, and possess part of the sacred Genius 4 which they revere, even Happy they too who, winning meeds next to the first, have enjoyed Latin homes! 3 The Senate-house, though fenced with awe, yet stands open to foreign merit, nor deems those strangers who are fittingly its own.

How greatly and how often can I count those blest who have deserved birth in that happy soil! Those high born scions of Roman nobility crown their honourable birth with the lustre of the Capital! On no other land could the seeds of virtues have been more worthily let fall by heaven's assignment. What is too long for men who spend all time in venerating Rome? 2 Nothing is ever too long that never fails to please. Rather 1 will you marvel, reader, that my quick return journey (to Gaul) can so soon renounce the blessings of the city of Romulus.

Dum dum song stump city