ch21 translations

dont be fucking stupid

cotidie Flaccus filium ad ludum Orbilii ducebat. Quintus celeriter discebat, et mox Graece et dicere et scribere poterat. Orbilius eum laudabat, quod bonus discipulus erat.

Every day Flaccus led his son to the school of Orbilius. Quintus learned quickly, and soon he was able both to speak and to write Greek. Orbilius praised him because he was a good pupil.

primum Quintus valde miser erat. ceteri enim pueri eum vitabant nec cum eo ludere volebant.

At first Quintus was very unhappy, for the other boys avoided him and did not want to play with him.

tandem tamen is qui primo die eum salutaverat accessit et “Quinte,” inquit, “mihi nomen est Marcus.”

At last, however, the boy who had greeted him on the first day came up and said, “Quintus, my name is Marcus.”

“non debes solus hic stare. veni mecum comitesque saluta.” Quintum ad comites duxit.

“You should not stand here alone. Come with me and greet my companions.” He led Quintus to his companions.

“amici,” inquit, “volo vobis commendare Quintum Horatium Flaccum. salutate eum et sinite eum ludis nostris interesse.”

“Friends,” he said, “I wish to introduce Quintus Horatius Flaccus to you. Greet him and allow him to take part in our games.”

ceteri pueri Marcum suspiciebant, quod puer erat magnus et lautus; praeterea pater eius erat vir insignis, qui consul fuerat et clarus orator.

The other boys looked up to Marcus, because he was big and well dressed; moreover, his father was a distinguished man who had been consul and was a famous orator.

itaque omnes Quintum salutaverunt et eum siverunt ludis suis interesse.

And so they all greeted Quintus and allowed him to join in their games.

paucis post diebus, ubi Orbilius pueros dimisit, Quintus domum ambulabat, cum accurrit Marcus.

A few days later, when Orbilius dismissed the boys, Quintus was walking home when Marcus ran up.

“Quinte,” inquit, “visne domum mecum venire patremque meum visere?”

“Quintus,” he said, “do you want to come home with me and visit my father?”

Quintus verecundus erat; “re vera,” inquit, “me domum tuam vocas? nonne pater tuus rebus occupatus est?”

Quintus was shy; “Really,” he said, “are you inviting me to your house? Isn’t your father busy?”

ille respondit: “pater meus semper occupatus est. semper tamen cupit amicos meos videre.”

He replied, “My father is always busy. Still, he always wants to see my friends.”

“tristis est; hoc anno soror mea, Tullia, deliciae patris, periit. adhuc eam luget.”

“He is sad; this year my sister Tullia, my father’s darling, died. He is still mourning her.”

“sed ubi amicis meis occurrit, hilarior fit. veni.”

“But when he meets my friends, he becomes happier. Come.”

forum transierunt et montem Palatinum ascenderunt. mox ad Marci aedes advenerunt.

They crossed the forum and climbed the Palatine Hill. Soon they arrived at Marcus’ house.

Marcus ianuam pulsavit; ianitor ianuam aperuit et Marcum salutavit.

Marcus knocked on the door; the doorkeeper opened the door and greeted Marcus.

“salve, domine,” inquit; “intra.” Marcus eum rogavit: “ubi est pater?”

“Greetings, master,” he said; “come in.” Marcus asked him, “Where is my father?”

ille inquit: “pater tuus est in tablino; occupatus est. epistolas enim scribae dictat.”

He said, “Your father is in the study; he is busy, for he is dictating letters to his secretary.”

Marcus Quintum in atrium duxit. ille numquam aedes tam magnificas viderat.

Marcus led Quintus into the atrium. He had never seen such a magnificent house.

atrium erat et latum et altum; in omnibus lateribus erant magnae ianuae.

The atrium was both wide and high; on all sides there were large doorways.

Marcus Quintum duxit ad ianuam quae a fronte stabat et pulsavit. aliquis voce blanda “intra” inquit.

Marcus led Quintus to the doorway in front and knocked. Someone said kindly, “Come in.”

Marcus ianuam aperuit et Quintum in tablinum duxit.

Marcus opened the door and led Quintus into the study.

pater Marci prope mensam stabat; vultum tristem habebat et anxium sed benevolum.

Marcus’ father was standing near a table; he had a sad and anxious but kind expression.

togam praetextam gerebat tabulamque in manu tenebat.

He was wearing a toga praetexta and holding a writing tablet in his hand.

ubi Marcus intravit, ei arrisit et “mane paulisper,” inquit; “ego epistolam dicto ad Atticum de rebus publicis.”

When Marcus entered, he smiled at him and said, “Wait a little while; I am dictating a letter to Atticus about public affairs.”

Marcus Quinto susurravit: “Atticus est amicus intimus mei patris.”

Marcus whispered to Quintus, “Atticus is my father’s closest friend.”

iam Marci pater epistolam confecerat et scribae dixit: “epistolam statim signa et cursori trade.”

Now Marcus’ father had finished the letter and said to the secretary, “Seal the letter at once and hand it to the courier.”

Cicero ad pueros se vertit. “veni huc, Marce,” inquit, “et amicum tuum mihi commenda.”

Cicero turned to the boys. “Come here, Marcus,” he said, “and introduce your friend to me.”

Marcus Quintum ad Ciceronem duxit et “ecce, pater,” inquit, “volo amicum meum Quintum Horatium Flaccum tibi commendare.”

Marcus led Quintus to Cicero and said, “Look, father, I want to introduce my friend Quintus Horatius Flaccus to you.”

“puer valde ingeniosus est. Orbilius magnam spem ponit in ingenio eius.”

“He is a very talented boy. Orbilius places great hope in his ability.”

Cicero ad Quintum se vertit et ei arrisit. “salve, Quinte,” inquit; “gaudeo quod filius meus amicum tam ingeniosum habet.”

Cicero turned to Quintus and smiled at him. “Greetings, Quintus,” he said; “I am glad that my son has such a talented friend.”

deinde pauca Quintum rogavit de studiis; ille studia bene exposuit.

Then he asked Quintus a few questions about his studies; Quintus explained his studies well.

Cicero “euge,” inquit; “Marcus verum dicit; puer re vera ingeniosus es.”

Cicero said, “Well done! Marcus is telling the truth; you really are a talented boy.”

“si vis, tibi licet libros meos inspicere. Marce, duc Quintum ad bibliothecam.”

“If you wish, you may look at my books. Marcus, lead Quintus to the library.”