Part 7 (1/2)

Paeninsularum, Sirmio, insularumque Ocelle, quasc.u.mque in liquentibus stagnis Marique vasto fert uterque Neptunus, Quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso, Vix mi ipse credens Thyniam atque Bithynos 5 Liquisse campos et videre te in tuto.

O quid solutis est beatius curis, c.u.m mens onus reponit, ac peregrino Labore fessi venimus larem ad nostrum Desideratoque acquiescimus lecto. 10 Hoc est, quod unumst pro laboribus tantis.

Salve, o venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude: Gaudete vosque, o Libuae lacus undae: Ridete, quidquid est domi cachinnorum.

x.x.xI.

ON RETURN TO SIRMIO AND HIS VILLA.

Sirmio! of Islands and Peninsulas Eyelet, and whatsoe'er in limpid meres And vasty Ocean either Neptune owns, Thy scenes how willing-glad once more I see, At pain believing Thynia and the Fields 5 Bithynian left, I'm safe to sight thy Site.

Oh what more blessed be than cares resolved, When mind casts burthen and by peregrine Work over wearied, lief we hie us home To lie reposing in the longed-for bed! 10 This be the single meed for toils so triste.

Hail, O fair Sirmio, in thy lord rejoice: And ye, O waves of Lybian Lake be glad, And laugh what laughter pealeth in my home.

Sirmio! Eyebabe of Islands and Peninsulas, which Neptune holds whether in limpid lakes or on mighty mains, how gladly and how gladsomely do I re-see thee, scarce crediting that I've left behind Thynia and the Bithynian champaign, and that safe and sound I gaze on thee. O what's more blissful than cares released, when the mind casts down its burden, and when wearied with travel-toils we reach our hearth, and sink on the craved-for couch.

This and only this repays our labours numerous. Hail, lovely Sirmio, and gladly greet thy lord; and joy ye, wavelets of the Lybian lake; laugh ye the laughters echoing from my home.

x.x.xII.

Amabo, mea dulcis Ipsithilla, Meae deliciae, mei lepores, Iube ad te veniam meridiatum.

Et si iusseris illud, adiuvato, Nequis liminis obseret tabellam, 5 Neu tibi lubeat foras abire, Sed domi maneas paresque n.o.bis Novem continuas fututiones.

Verum, siquid ages, statim iubeto: Nam pransus iaceo et satur supinus 10 Pertundo tunicamque palliumque.

x.x.xII.

CRAVING IPSITHILLA'S LAST FAVOURS.

I'll love my Ipsithilla sweetest, My desires and my wit the meetest, So bid me join thy nap o' noon!

Then (after bidding) add the boon Undraw thy threshold-bolt none dare, 5 Lest thou be led afar to fare; Nay bide at home, for us prepare Nine-fold continuous love-delights.

But aught do thou to hurry things, For dinner-full I lie aback, 10 And gown and tunic through I crack.

I'll love thee, my sweet Ipsithilla, my delight, my pleasure: an thou bid me come to thee at noontide. And an thou thus biddest, I adjure thee that none makes fast the outer door [against me], nor be thou minded to gad forth, but do thou stay at home and prepare for us nine continuous conjoinings. In truth if thou art minded, give instant summons: for breakfast o'er, I lie supine and ripe, thrusting through both tunic and cloak.

x.x.xIII.

O furum optime balneariorum Vibenni pater, et cinaede fili, (Nam dextra pater inquinatiore, Culo filius est voraciore) Cur non exilium malasque in oras 5 Itis, quandoquidem patris rapinae Notae sunt populo, et natis pilosas, Fili, non potes a.s.se venditare.

x.x.xIII.

ON THE VIBENII--BATH-THIEVES.

Oh, best of robbers who in Baths delight, Vibennius, sire and son, the Ingle hight, (For that the father's hand be fouler one And with his a.n.u.s greedier is the Son) Why not to banishment and evil hours 5 Haste ye, when all the parent's plundering powers Are public knowledge, nor canst gain a Cent Son! by the vending of thy piled vent.

O, chiefest of pilferers, baths frequenting, Vibennius the father and his pathic son (for with the right hand is the sire more in guilt, and with his backside is the son the greedier), why go ye not to exile and ill hours, seeing that the father's plunderings are known to all folk, and that, son, thou can'st not sell thine hairy b.u.t.tocks for a doit?

x.x.xIIII.

Dianae sumus in fide Puellae et pueri integri: _Dianam pueri integri_ Puellaeque canamus.

O Latonia, maximi 5 Magna progenies Iovis, Quam mater prope Deliam Deposivit olivam,