Ovid 135-162

Question 1

Nec te nobilium fugiat certamen equorum;
Multa capax populi commoda Circus habet.
Nil opus est digitis, per quos arcana loquaris,
Nec tibi per nutus accipienda nota est:

Answer 1

Nor let the contest of noble horses escape you,
The spacious Circus holds opportunities for many people.
It is not necessary for fingers, through which you speak secretly,
nor for you to receive a signal through nods.

opus est- it is necessary (the trans of need only appears in nom/acc)
accipienda- gerundive

Question 2

Proximus a domina, nullo prohibente, sedeto,
Iunge tuum lateri qua potes usque latus;
Et bene, quod cogit, si nolis, linea iungi,
Quod tibi tangenda est lege puella loci.

Answer 2

You will sit close by your mistress, with nothing stopping you.
join you side to hers constantly, as close as you are able.
and it is good, because, if you are unwilling, it compels to be joined by the line,
because the girl can be touched by you according to the laws of the place.

sedeto- second person future imp.
iungi- pass. inf.
tagenda- gerundive.

Question 3

Hic tibi quaeratur socii sermonis origo,
Et moveant primos publica verba sonos.
Cuius equi veniant, facito, studiose, requiras:
Nec mora, quisquis erit, cui favet illa, fave.

Answer 3

Here seek an opening for friendly conversation,
and first let public words begin the speech.
Make sure you inquire eagerily whose horses are entering,
and don’t delay, whichever horse she favours, favour.

origo- nom.
quaer- subj. pass. ‘let it be sought by you.’
facito- 2/3rd future imp.
fave- imp.
faveo- takes the dat

Question 4

At cum pompa frequens caelestibus ibit eburnis,
Tu Veneri dominae plaude favente manu;
Utque fit, in gremium pulvis si forte puellae
Deciderit, digitis excutiendus erit:

Answer 4

and when the crowded procession goes by with ivory statues of divinies,
Applaud the mistress Venus with favouring hands.
And when it happens, by chance, if a speck of dust has fallen onto the girl’s lap, flick it off with your finger.

plaude- imp.
utque- when

Question 5

Etsi nullus erit pulvis, tamen excute nullum:
Quaelibet officio causa sit apta tuo.
Pallia si terra nimium demissa iacebunt,
Collige, et inmunda sedulus effer humo;

Answer 5

Even if there is no dust, flick away nothing anyway.
Let any event be suited to your duty.
If her cloak is lying too low to the ground,
Pick it up and carefully carry away it away from the dirty earth.

colligo- imp.
effer- imp.

Question 6

Protinus, officii pretium, patiente puella
Contingent oculis crura videnda tuis.
Respice praeterea, post vos quicumque sedebit,
Ne premat opposito mollia terga genu.

Answer 6

Straightaway, a reward for your service, with the girl’s allowance,
her (needing to be seen) legs will fall to your eyes.
Moreover, look back, whoever is sitting behind you,
lest a knee is pressed against her tender back.

videna- gerundive.
contingent- takes dat.
respice- imp.
ne- negative purpose clause, using the subj. As the main verb is an imp, which counts as ‘primary’ in the sequence of tenses, hence premat is present subj.

Question 7

Parva leves capiunt animos: fuit utile multis
Pulvinum facili composuisse manu.
Profuit et tenui ventos movisse tabella,
Et cava sub tenerum scamna dedisse pedem.

Answer 7

Trifles capture trivial minds, it has been useful to many
to arrange the cushions with gentle hands.
It is good also to stir the air with a light fan,
and to offer a hollowed out stool under a dainty foot.

leves…animos- trivial minds
composuisse- perf. inf of compono