cicero chapter 37

Redeo nunc ad te, Caeli, vicissim ac mihi auctoritatem

I return to you now Caelius, in turn i take up the authority

patriam severitatemque suscipio.

and severity of a father.

Sed dubito quem patrem potissimum sumam, Caecilianumne

But I am in doubt as to which particular father i will take up,

aliquem vehementem atque durum:

some bad tempered and harsh Caecilius type:

Nunc enim demum mi animus ardet, nunc meum cor

For now at last my soul blazes, now my heart is filled

cumulatur ira

with anger.

aut illum: O infelix, o sceleste! Ferrei sunt isti patres:

Or that well known one: ‘O unfortunate man! O wicked man! These fathers are made of iron:

Egon quid dicam, quid velim? quae tu omnia

What shall i say, what should i wish for? you

Tuis foedis factis facis ut nequiquam velim,

through your final deeds you make one wish in vain for all these things,

vix ferendi.

These fathers are scarcely bearable.

Diceret talis pater:

Such a father might say:

“Cur te in istam vicinitatem meretriciam contulisti?

“Why did you take yourself to that vicinity of prostitutes?

cur inlecebris cognitis non refugisti?“

why did you not flee back when you recognised her charms?

Cur alienam ullam mulierem nosti?

why did you get to know with another man’s woman?

Dide ac dissice; Per me tibi licet.

Fritter away and squander your money; you may do as you please for all i care.

Si egebis, tibi dolebit, non mihi.

If you will be in need, it will pain you not me.

Mihi sat est qui aetatis quod relicuom est oblectem meae.”

It is enough for me that i enjoy whatever remains of my life.”