THE

SATIRES OF HORACE.

BOOK I.

SATIRE I.

TO MÆCENAS.

That all, but especially the covetous, think their own condition the hardest.

How comes it to pass, Mæcenas, that no one lives content with his condition, whether Reason gave it him, or Chance threw it in his way; but praises those who have different pursuits? 0 happy merchants! says the soldier, oppressed with years, and now broke down in his limbs through excess of labour. On the other side, the merchant, when the south winds toss his ship, cries, warfare is preferable; for why? the engagement is begun, and in an instant comes there a speedy death, or a happy victory. The lawyer praises the farmer's state, when the client knocks at his door by cockcrow. But he who, having entered into a recognisance, is dragged from the country into the city, cries, those only are happy who live in the city. The other instances of this kind (they are so numerous) would weary out the loquacious Fabius to repeat them. Not to keep you in suspense,

154

attend to what an issue I will bring this matter. If any god should say, lo! I will effect what you desire: you that were just now a soldier, shall be a merchant; you that were lately a lawyer, shall be a farmer. Do ye depart one way, and you another, having exchanged the parts you are to act in life. How now! why do you stand? They are unwilling; and yet it is in their power to be happy. What reason, then, can be assigned, but that Jupiter should deservedly distend both his cheeks in indignation, and declare that for the future he will not be so indulgent as to lend an ear to their prayers. But, furthermore, that I may not run over this in a laughing manner, like those who treat on ludicrous subjects: (though what hinders one to be merry and tell the truth! as good-natured teachers at first give cakes to their boys that they may be willing to learn their first rudiments. However, raillery apart, let us investigate serious matters.) He that turns the lumpish glebe with the hard ploughshare, this fraudulent adulterer of the law, the soldier, and the sailors, who dauntless run through every sea, profess that they endure toil with this intention, that, when old men, they may retire into a secure resting-place, when once they have got together a sufficient provision.

Thus the little ant (for she may serve for an example) of great industry, carries with her mouth whatever she is able, and adds to her heap, which she piles up, by no means ignorant of, and not improvident for, the future.

Which ant, nevertheless, as soon as Aquarius saddens the inverted year, never creeps abroad, but wisely makes use of those stores, which were provided beforehand: while neither sultry summer, nor winter, fire, ocean, sword, can drive you from the pursuit of gain. You surmount every obstacle that no other man may be richer than yourself. But what pleasure is it for you, anxious to deposit an immense weight of silver and gold in the earth, dug up by stealth, to hide it?

But if you should lesson it, it may be reduced, in time, to a paltry farthing.

But unless that be the case, what beauty has an accumulated hoard? Though your threshingfloor should yield a hundred thousand bushels of corn, your belly will not on that account contain more than mine: just as if it was your lot to carry on your loaded shoulder the basket of bread amongst slaves, you would receive no more for your own share than he who bore no part of the burden. Or tell me, what is it to the purpose of that man, who lives within the compass of nature, whether he plough a hundred or a thousand acres?

But it is still delightful to take out of a great hoard.

While you leave us as much to take out of a moderate store, why should you extol your great granaries more than our smaller repositories; as if you had occasion for no more than a pitcher or glass of water? and should say, I had rather draw so much from a great river, than the same quantity from this little fountain. Hence it comes, that the rapid Aufidus carries away, together with the bank, such as an abundance more copious than what is just delights. But he who desires only so much as is sufficient, neither drinks his water fouled with the mud, nor loses his life in the waves But a great majority of mankind, misled by de

sess.

praved desire, cry, No sum is enough; because you are esteemed in proportion to what you posWhat can one do to such a tribe as this? why, bid them be wretched, since their inclination prompts them to it. As a certain person is recorded to have lived at Athens, covetous and rich, who was wont to despise the talk of the people in this manner: The crowd hiss me abroad; but I applaud myself at home, as soon as I contemplate my money in my chest. The thirsty Tantalus catches at the streams that elude his lips. Why do you laugh? The name changed, and the tale is told of you. You sleep upon your bags heaped up on every side, avidiously gaping over them, and are obliged to abstain from them, as if they were consecrated things, or to amuse yourself with them, as you would with pictures. Are you ignorant of what real value money is, what use it can afford? Bread, herbs, a *bottle of wine, may be purchased with it; to which necessaries add such others as being withheld, human nature would be uneasy with itself. What, to watch, half dead with terror, night and day, to dread profligate thieves, fire, and your slaves, lest they should run away and plunder you; is this delightful? As for me, I should always wish to be very poor in possessions held upon these terms.

But if your body should be disordered by being seized with a cold, or any other casualty should confine you to your bed, have you one that will abide by you, prepare medicines, entreat the physician that he would raise you to your feet, and restore you to your children and dear relations?

Nor your wife, nor your son, desires your recovery; all your neighbours, acquaintance, nay the very boys and girls, hate you. And do you wonder that no one tenders you the affection, which you by no means merit, since you prefer your money to every thing else? But, if you think to retain, and preserve for your friends the relations which nature gives you, without taking any pains; wretch that you are, you lose your labour equally, as if any one should train an ass to be obedient to the rein, and run in the Campus Martius. At last, let there be some end to your searching after riches: and since you have more than enough, be in less dread of poverty: and begin to cease from your toil, that being acquired which you coveted: nor do as did one Umidius, it is no tedious story, who was so rich, he measured his money, but so sordid, that he never clothed himself any better than a slave; and, even to his latest moments, was in dread lest want of bread should starve him: but his freed-woman, the* bravest of all the daughters of Tyndarus, cut him in two with a hatchet.

What therefore do you persuade me to? that I should lead the life of a Mænius?† or in such a manner as a Nomentanus?

You are going now to make things tally, that are contradictory in their natures. When I bid you not be a miser, I do not order you to become a spendthrift and a prodigal. There is some dif

* Helen and Clytemnestra, the daughters of Tyndarus, killed their husbands, Deiphobus and Agamemnon, with this weapon.

† Mænius and Nomentanus, two infamous prodigals.