HORACE, The Changing Face of the Countryside

Question 1

iam pauca aratro iugera regiae
moles relinquent, undique latius
extenta visentur Lucrino
stagna lacu …

Answer 1

Before long, aristocratic mansions will leave few acres
for the plough, everywhere will be seen pools
extending further than the Lucrine Lake,

Question 2

… platanusque caelebs
evincet ulmos; tum violaria et
myrtus et omnis copia narium
spargent olivetis odorem
fertilibus domino priori;

Answer 2

and the solitary plane tree
will wipe out the elms; then beds of violets and
myrtle bushes and a whole host of smells
will sprinkle their scent on the olive groves
once productive for their previous owners;

Question 3

tum spissa ramis laurea fervidos
excludet ictus. non ita Romuli
praescriptem et intonsi Catonis
auspiciis veterumque norma.

Answer 3

then laurels with their thick branches
will keep out the burning rays. Not thus
was it laid down in the instructions of Romulus and bearded Cato
and the custom of past generations.

Question 4

privatus illis census erat brevis,
commune magnum; nulla decempedis
metata privatis opacam
porticus excipiebat Arcton,

Answer 4

For them private wealth was small,
public wealth large; no portico
measured out with private surveying equipment
received the shady northern light,

Question 5

nec fortuitum spernere caespitem
leges sinebant, oppida publico
sumptu iubentes et deorum
templa novo decorare saxo.

Answer 5

nor did the laws allow people to reject
a handy piece of turf, while ordering them
to decorate their towns at public expense and
the temples of the gods with newly-cut stone.