Latin set text - Cicero: Pythius

C. Canius, eques Romanus cum se Syracusas contulisset, dicebat se hortulos aliquos emere velle, quo invitare amicos et ubi se oblectare sine interpellatoribus posset.

Gaius Canius, a Roman knight, when he travelled to Syracuse, said, that he wanted to purchase a small estate, where he could invite his friends and amuse himself, uninterrupted by troublesome visitors.

quod cum percrebuisset, Pythius quidam, qui argentariam faciebat Syracusis, ei dixit se hortos habere non venales quidem, sed quibus Canius uti posset, si vellet, ut suis: et simil ad cenam hominem in hortos invitavit.

When this fact became well-known, a certain Pythius, who was running a bank at Syracuse, said to him that he possessed such lands; that they were not for sale however but Canius might use them if he liked, as his own: and at the same time he invited him to the estate to dinner.

cum ille promisisset, tum Pythius piscatores ad se convocavit et ab eis petivit, ut ante suos hortulos postridie piscarentur, dixitque quid eos facere vellet.

When Canius accepted, Pythius then summoned the fishermen to him and asked them to do their fishing the next day out in front of his estate, and told them what he wished them to do.

ad cenam tempore venit Canius; cumbarum ante oculos multitudo; pro se quisque, quod ceperat, adferebat; ante pedes Pythii pisces deiciebantur.

Canius came to dinner at the appointed hour; there was a whole fleet of boats before their eyes; each fisherman brought in in turn the catch that he had made; and the fish were being deposited at the feet of Pythius.

tum Canius “quaeso”, inquit, “quid est hoc, Pythi? quare tot pisces, tot cumbae?” et ille: “quid mirum?” inquit, “quidquid est piscium Syracusis est in hoc loco.”

Then Canius said, “Tell me, Pythius, what does this mean? Why so many fish, why so many boats?”, and he said, “What is so surprising? All the fish that are in Syracuse are in this place.”.

incensus Canius cupiditate contendit a Pythio, ut venderet.

Inflamed with desire Canius insisted upon Pythius’ selling it to him.

recusavit ille primo.

At first he refused.

tandem tamen emit homo cupidus et dives tanti, quanti Pythius voluit.

At last however Canius bought it; the man was rich and in his desire to own the estate he paid for it all that Pythius asked.

invitat Canius postridie familiares suos; venit ipse mature; cumbam nullam videt.

The next day Canius invited his close friends; he came early himself; he saw not one boat.

quaerit a proximo vicino, num feriae piscatorum essent.

He inquired from his next door neighbour whether it was a fisherman’s holiday.

“nullae, quod sciam,” inquit, “sed hic piscari nulli solent.

“Not so far as I know”, said he, “but none are in the habit of fishing here.

itaque heri mirabar quid accidisset.”

And so I was amazed at what happened yesterday.”.

iratissimus Canius; sed quid faceret?

Canius was very angry; but what could he do?