Greek and Latin Literature in Translation
Tell me, Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered far and wide after he had sacked Troy's sacred city, and saw the towns of many men and knew their mind.
Nor can I do better, in conclusion, than impress upon you the study of Greek literature, which not only elevates above the vulgar herd, but leads not infrequently to positions of considerable emolument.
Excudent alii spirantia mollius aera
(Credo equidem), vivos ducent de marmore vultus,
Orabunt causas melius, caelique meatus
Describent radio et surgentia sidera dicent:
Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento
(Hae tibi erunt artes), pacique imponere morem,
Parcere subiectis et debellare superbos.
Others shall shape bronzes more smoothly
so that they seem alive (yes, I believe it) ,
shall mould from marble living faces,
shall better plead their cases in court, and shall demonstrate with a pointer
the motions of the heavenly bodies and tell the stars as they rise:
you, Roman, make your task to rule nations by your government
(these shall be your skills), to impose ordered ways upon a state of peace,
to spare those who have submitted and to subdue the arrogant.
