propertus poem

mox ait ‘o Longa mundi servator ab Alba

then Phoebus Apollo spoke, ‘o saviour of the world from alba longa’

auguste, hectoris cognite maior avis

augustus, known to be greater than your hectorical ancestors,

vince mari; iam terra tua est: tibi militat arcus

conquer at sea; the land is already yours: my bow serves you as a solier

et favet ex umers hoc onus omne meis.

and this whole burden of arrows on my shoulders supports you.

solve metu patrain, quae nunc te vindice freta

free from fear the fatherland, which now relying on you as protector

imposiot prorae publica vota tuae.

has laid upon your prow public prayers.

quam nisi defendas, murorum Romulus augur

unless you defend it, romulus, auger of the walls

ire Palatinas non bene vidit aves.

saw in vain the palatine birds go by him.

et niminus remis audent prope: turbe Latinos

and they dare go too near with their oars: it is disgraceful that

principe te fluctus regia vela pati.

while you are princeps latin seas suffer royal sails.

tempus adest, commite rates: ego temporis auctor

the time is here, commit your chips: I the author of the time of battle,

ducam laurigera Iulia rostra manu.’

shall lead the julian fleet with my laurel-bearing hand.’

dixerat, et pharetrae pondus consumit in arcus:

He had spoken, and he bestowed the weight of his quiver onto his bow:

proxima post arcus Caesaris hasta fuit.

next after the bow was caesar’s spear.

vincit Roma fide Phoebi: dat femina poenas:

roma conquers placing her trust in phoebus: a woman pays the penalty:

sceptra per Ionias frata vehuntur aquas.

her broken scepter is carries across ionian waters.

at pater Idalio miratur Caesar ab astro:

but father ceasar marvels from mount ida’s star:

‘sum deus; est nostri sanguinis ista fides.’

‘I am a god; that is the proof of our blood.’