ipsa loquor pro me: si fallo, poena sororum infelix umeros urgeat urna meos.

si cui fama fuit per auita tropaea decori, Afra Numantinos regna loquontur auos: altera maternos exaequat turba Libones,

et domus est titulis utraque fulta suis. mox, ubi iam facibus cessit praetexta maritis, uinxit et acceptas altera uitta comas, iungor, Paulle, tuo sic discessura cubili:

in lapide hoc uni nupta fuisse legar.
testor maiorum cineres tibi, Roma, colendos,
sub quorum titulis, Africa, tonsa iaces,
et Persem proaui stimulantem pectus Achilli
quique tumens proauo fregit Achille domos,
me neque censurae legem mollisse nec ulla
labe mea uestros erubuisse focos.

non fuit exuuiis tantis Cornelia damnum :
quin et erat magnae pars imitanda domus.
nec mea mutatast aetas, sine crimine totast:
uiximus insignes inter utramque facem.
mi natura dedit leges a sanguine ductas,
ne possem melior iudicis esse metu.
quaelibet austeras de me ferat urna tabellas;
turpior adsessu non erit ulla meo,

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35

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uel tu quae tardam mouisti fune Cybeben, Claudia, turritae rara ministra deae,

uel cui, commissos cum Vesta reposceret ignes, exhibuit uiuos carbasus alba focos.

nec te, dulce caput, mater Scribonia, laesi : in me mutatum quid nisi fata uelis?

55

maternis laudor lacrimis urbisque querelis,
defensa et gemitu Caesaris ossa mea.
ille sua nata dignam uixisse sororem

increpat, et lacrimas uidimus ire deo. et tamen emerui generosos uestis honores, nec mea de sterili facta rapina domo.

60

tu, Lepide, et tu, Paulle, meum post fata leuamen, condita sunt uestro lumina nostra sinu.

uidimus et fratrem sellam geminasse curulem;
consule quo laeto tempore rapta soror.
filia, tu specimen censurae nata paternae,
fac teneas unum nos imitata uirum.
et serie fulcite genus: mihi cumba uolenti
soluitur aucturis tot mea facta meis.
haec est feminei merces extrema triumphi,
laudat ubi emeritum libera fama rogum.
nunc tibi commendo communia pignera natos:
haec cura et cineri spirat inusta meo.
fungere maternis uicibus, pater: illa meorum
omnis erit collo turba ferenda tuo.
oscula cum dederis tua flentibus, adice matris :
tota domus coepit nunc onus esse tuum.
et si quid doliturus eris, sine testibus illis :
cum uenient, siccis oscula falle genis.
sat tibi sint noctes quas de me, Paulle, fatiges,
somniaque in faciem credita saepe meam :
atque ubi secreto nostra ad simulacra loqueris,
ut responsurae singula uerba iace.
seu tamen aduersum mutarit ianua lectum,

sederit et nostro cauta nouerca toro,

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coniugium, pueri, laudate et ferte paternum:
capta dabit uestris moribus illa manus.
nec matrem laudate nimis: conlata priori
uertet in offensas libera uerba suas.

༡༠

seu memor ille mea contentus manserit umbra

discite uenturam iam nunc sentire senectam,

et tanti cineres duxerit esse meos,

caelibis ad curas nec uacet ulla uia.

quod mihi detractumst, uestros accedat ad annos: 95 prole mea Paullum sic iuuet esse senem.

et bene habet: numquam mater lugubria sumpsi : uenit in exequias tota caterua meas. causa peroratast. flentes me surgite, testes, dum pretium uitae grata rependit humus. moribus et caelum patuit: sim digna merendo, cuius honoratis ossa uehantur auis.

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NOTES.

I. i.

INTRODUCTION.

THIS elegy was prefixed to the first book of poems which Propertius published under the name of Cynthia. The poet intended it to serve as a preface to the Cynthia poems, as is clear from the pointed references to it in Iv. 24 which commemorates the poet's final release from the attachment whose early wretchedness is depicted here. Written after a year of tyranny on the part of Cynthia and patient submissive waiting on that of Propertius, it shews a strong and slighted passion sinking into a dull and resourceless despair. This year was probably that year of separation, for which see Introduction; compare vv. 7, 35-38 and notes. The poem is addressed to Tullus, for whom see Introduction. This melancholy beginning, in strong contrast with those of Tibullus, Lygdamus and Ovid, is in keeping with the Propertian genius.

ARGUMENT.

Cynthia first subdued me (1, 2). My subjection has been complete. My love has warped my soul and wrecked my life (3-6). Even continued disappointments cannot cure it (7,8). Milanion's love for Atalanta was once as fierce and hopeless as mine: but it prompted him to exertions which were successful at the last (9-16). Mine is dull and uninventive (17, 18). Ordinary aid is in vain: let magic help me if it can (19-24). Advice is too late, my friends, now: find some remedy, however severe, for this stifling passion (25-28). Take me where no woman can follow: let the fortunate stay at home (29-32). My darling is always reviling me: my love is spurned, but it continues (33, 34). Be warned by my woe, happy lovers, and be faithful lest you repent it (35-end).