GCSE Latin Literature: Prose - Cicero Translation

C. Canius, eques Romanus, cum se Syracusas contulisset, dicebat se hortulos aliquos emere velle,

LINES 1-2: When Gaius Canius, a Roman knight, went to Syracuse, he said that he wanted to buy a small estate,

quo invitare amicos et ubi se oblectare sine interpellatoribus posset.

LINES 2-3: to which he could invite friends and where he could amuse himself without intruders.

quod cum percrebuisset, Pythius quidam, qui argentariam faciebat Syracusis,

LINES 3-5: When this became widely known, a certain Pythius, who managed a bank at Syracuse,

ei dixit se hortos habere, non venales quidem sed quibus Canius uti posset, si vellet, ut suis:

LINES 5-6: told him that he had gardens which in fact not for sale, but which Canius could use as his own, if he wished;

et simul ad cenam hominem in hortos invitavit.

LINES 6-7: and at the same time, he invited the fellow into his gardens for a meal.

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

LINES 7-10: When he accepted, then Pythius summoned the fishermen to him and asked them to fish in front of his small estate on the following day and told (them) what he wanted them to do.

ad cenam tempore venit Canius.

LINE 10: Canius came for the meal on time.

cumbarum ante oculos multitudo; pro se quisque, quod ceperat, adferebat;

LINES 10-11: Before his eyes (there was) a large number of fishing boats; each man, according to his ability, brought what he had caught;

ante pedes Pythii pisces deiciebantur.

LINES 12: the fish were being thrown down before the feet of Pythius.

tum Canius 'quaeso' inquit 'quid est hoc, Pythi? quare tot pisces, tot cumbae?'

LINES 12-13: Then Canius said, 'I beg (you), Pythius, what is this? Why so many fish, so many boats?'

et ille 'quid mirum?' inquit 'quidquid est piscium Syracusis est in hoc loco.'

LINES 13-15: And Pythius replied, 'What's so strange (about that)? All the fish there are at Syracuse are in this area.'

incensus Canius cupiditate contendit a Pythio ut venderet. recusavit ille primo.

LINES 15-16: Canius, inflamed by greed, begged Pythius to sell (the estate). At first he refused.

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

LINES 16-17: Finally, however, the greedy rich man bought it for the price which Pythius wanted.

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

LINES 18-19: Canius invited his close friends for the following day; he himself came early; he saw no boat.

quaerit a proximo vicino num feriae piscatorum essent. 'nullae, quod sciam' inquit 'sed hic piscari nulli soldent.

LINES 19-21: He asked the nearest neighbour whether it was a fisherman's holiday. 'Not as far as I know' he said 'nut no one usually fishes here.

itaque heri mirabar quid accidisset.' iratissiums Canius; sed quis faceret?

LINES 21-22: So I was surprised yesterday at what had happened' Canius (was) very angry; but what was he to do?