Horace, Epistulae

recte facta refert, orientia tempora notis

He tells of deeds rightly done, furnishes the rising age with famous

instruit exemplis, inopem solatur et aegrum,

examples, consoles the poor and the sick.

castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti

Along with the chaste boys, the girl who knows no husband —

disceret unde preces, vatem ni Musa dedisset?

where would she learn her prayers, if the Muse had not given a poet?

poscit opem chorus et praesentia numina sentit,

The chorus asks for help and feels the gods present;

caelestis implorat aquas docta prece blandus,

it begs for rain from heaven, winning favour with the prayer it was taught;

avertit morbos, metuenda pericula pellit,

it turns away diseases, drives off dreaded dangers,

impetrat et pacem et locupletem frugibus annum,

obtains both peace and a year rich in harvests:

carmine di superi placantur, carmine Manes.

with song the gods above are appeased, with song the Manes [spirits of the dead].

Agricolae prisci, fortes parvoque beati,

The farmers of old, sturdy and happy with little,

condita post frumenta levantes tempore festo

when the grain was stored, refreshing at festival time

cum vitio fugere ? caret tibi pectus inani

fled along with that vice? Is your breast free of empty

ambitione? caret mortis formidine et ira?

ambition? Free of the fear of death, and of anger?

somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas,

Dreams, magic terrors, marvels, witches,

nocturnos lemures portentaque Thessala rides?

ghosts that walk by night, and Thessalian portents — do you laugh at them?

natalis grate numeras? ignoscis amicis?

Do you count your birthdays with gratitude? Do you forgive your friends?

lenior et melior fis accedente senecta?

Do you grow milder and better as old age draws on?