Ovid 449-486 Flashcards
At quod non dederis, semper videare daturus:
Sic dominum sterilis saepe fefellit ager:
Sic, ne perdiderit, non cessat perdere lusor,
Et revocat cupidas alea saepe manus.
But what you don’t give, always appear to be on the point of giving.
thus a barren fields deceives its master.
thus, so that he may not have lost, the gambler ceases not to lose,
and often the dice recalls greedy hands,
sic ne per- neg purpose clause
Hoc opus, hic labor est, primo sine munere iungi;
Ne dederit gratis quae dedit, usque dabit.
Ergo eat et blandis peraretur littera verbi,
Exploretque animos, primaque temptet iter.
This is the task, this is the job, to have been taken without a gift first,
so that she will not give what she gave without compensation, she will continue to give.
Therefore let the letter go, written in flattering words,
and explore her heart, and first try the path.
gratis- adv. without comp.
usque- adv. continuously.
Littera Cydippen pomo perlata fefellit,
Insciaque est verbis capta puella suis.
Disce bonas artes, moneo, Romana iuventus,
Non tantum trepidos ut tueare reos;
The letter, carried in the apple, deceived Cydippe,
the girl caught unaware by her words.
Learn good arts, I advise you, young Roman,
so that you may not only to guard the anxious defendant,
ut tu- purpose clause with 2nd person pres sjub (tueare).
Quam populus iudexque gravis lectusque senatus,
Tam dabit eloquio victa puella manus.
Sed lateant vires, nec sis in fronte disertus;
Effugiant voces verba molesta tuae.
as the population, the grave judge and chosen senate,
so the conquered girl will give her hand to eloquence.
But hide your powers, nor let your eloquence show,
Let your voice avoid troublesome words.
frons- outward appearance.
Quis, nisi mentis inops, tenerae declamat amicae?
Saepe valens odii littera causa fuit.
Sit tibi credibilis sermo consuetaque verba,
Blanda tamen, praesens ut videare loqui.
who, unless weak minded, would declaim his tender love?
often has a letter been the cause of powerful hate.
Let your words be believable and speech familiar,
yet flattering, so that you appear to be speaking in her presence.
ut vid- purpose clause 2nd per. pres subj.
Si non accipiet scriptum, inlectumque remittet,
Lecturam spera, propositumque tene.
Tempore difficiles veniunt ad aratra iuvenci,
Tempore lenta pati frena docentur equi:
If she does not accept your letter, and it returns unread,
hope that it will be read and hold your resolution.
In time, young oxen arrive at the plough,
in time, horses are taught to endure pliant reins.
spera- fut. imp followed by indire statment.
tempore- abl of time within whiich
Ferreus adsiduo consumitur anulus usu,
Interit adsidua vomer aduncus humo.
Quid magis est saxo durum, quid mollius unda?
Dura tamen molli saxa cavantur aqua.
An iron ring is worn down by constant use,
the curved ploughshare is ruined by constant ploughing of the earth.
what is more strong than a rock, what is softer than water?
However, the hard rock is hollowed out by soft water.
anulus- ring
cavantur- hollowed
Penelopen ipsam, persta modo, tempore vinces:
Capta vides sero Pergama, capta tamen.
Legerit, et nolit rescribere? cogere noli:
Tu modo blanditias fac legat usque tuas.
Only stand firm, you will win Penelope herself in time,
Pergamon, you see, was captured late, yet it was captured.
Suppose she reads it, and refuses to reply? Don’t force her,
Only make sure she continuously reads your flatteries.
usque- continuously
Quae voluit legisse, volet rescribere lectis:
Per numeros venient ista gradusque suos.
Forsitan et primo veniet tibi littera tristis,
Quaeque roget, ne se sollicitare velis.
she who wished to read, wishes to reply to what has been read.
they will arrive through their own numbers and pace.
first perhaps, an unhappy letter arrives to you,
which asks, that you not be willing to agitate her.
quae- relative clause missing the antecedent.
lectis- ppp of lego
roget ne- indirect command neg.
Quod rogat illa, timet; quod non rogat, optat, ut instes;
Insequere, et voti postmodo compos eris.
What she asks, she fears, what she does not ask, she prefers, that you press.
Follow, and afterwards you will be in enjoyment of your pledge.
compos - master, power of, enjoyment of + gen
