Orazio 4

from - Love Politics & Injuries from ancient Rome - by Chris Phinney & Antonella Eye Porcelluzzi

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lyrics

AP:408-437 Nature plus training: but see through flattery

Whether a praiseworthy poem is due to nature
Or art is the question: I’ve never seen the benefit
Of study lacking a wealth of talent, or of untrained
Ability: each needs the other’s friendly assistance.
He who’s eager to reach the course’s longed-for goal,
Has done and suffered much as a lad, sweating, freezing,
Abstaining from wine and women: the flautist who pipes
At the Pythian Games, first learnt how: feared his master.
Now it’s enough to say: ‘I compose marvellous poems:
Let the itch take the last: I’ll not be left behind ,
Admitting I haven’t a clue about something I never learnt.’
Like an auctioneer drawing a crowd to the sale,
So a poet whose rich in land, with large investments,
Is bidding flatterers come to him, and profit.
If he can serve up a really fine dinner too,
Or go surety for a dodgy pauper, or save
A dismal lawsuit’s victim, I’d be amazed, if he,
The lucky man, could tell false friend from true.
You too, if you’ve given or mean to give someone
A gift, don’t induce him while filled with delight
To listen to your verse: he’ll cry: ‘Lovely! Fine! Grand!’
Now he’ll grow pale, now he’ll even force dew
From his fond eyes, leap, and strike the ground.
As those hired to mourn at funerals do and say
Almost more than those who are grieving deeply,
The hypocrite’s more ‘moved’ than the true admirer.
They say kings anxious to test someone, to see if
He’s worthy of friendship, urge on him many a glass,
Ply him with wine: so, if you should fashion verses,
Don’t be deceived by the fox’s hidden intent.