Minor Latin Poets
Sulpicius Lupercus Servasius Junior
I
De Vetustate
Omne quod Natura parens creavit, quamlibet firmum videas, labascit: tempore ac longo fragile et caducum solvitur usu.
5amnis insueta solet ire valle, mutat et rectos via certa cursus, rupta cum cedit male pertinaci ripa fluento.
decidens scabrum cavat unda tofum, 10ferreus vomis tenuatur agris, splendet attrito digitos honorans anulus auro.
II
De Cupiditate
Heu misera in nimios hominum petulantia census caecus inutilium quo ruit ardor opum, auri dira fames et non expleta libido ferali pretio vendat ut omne nefas!
Sulpicius Lupercus Servasius Junior
Sulpicius Lupercus Servasius Junior
I
The Work of Time
All that Nature ever bore, Firm to look at, time makes hoar, Frail and fleeting more and more, Its strength in service losing. Streams fresh valley-routes pursue, Ancient courses change to new, When their banks are broken through By floods’ persistent oozing. Cascades make rough tufa yield; Ploughs wear thinner in the field; Rings that jewelled fingers wield Show gold rubbed bright by using.
II
Greed
Alas for the wretched craving after excessive incomes! What is the end on which the blind passion for useless wealth rushes, so that the cursed hunger for gold and greed unsatisfied may barter any enormity for a recompense fraught with destruction?