Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

I TWO ELEGIF.S OX MAECENAShave surjiasscd the generations of long-lived Nestor,if 1 had been spinner to assign thee the threads ofdestiny. But as things are, all that I can, I pray :" O Goddess Earth, light be thy touch on his boneso'erhanging keep thine own weight as in a balancesuspended : so shall we ever give thee wreaths,and ever fragrances : never shalt thou feel thirst,but ever be decked with flowers."II[Scaliger was the first to distinguish this as aseparate poem : in the MSS. it runs on after Elegia Iwithout break.]Thus spoke Maecenas at the coming of fate,chill on the very brink of death. " Why," said he," did I not sink in death, O Jupiter, before youngDrusus' narrow day of life ? He had shown himselfa youth of ripe judgement, a stalwart for his yearsthe mighty achievement of mighty Caesar's training."Would that before our civil strife ."*. . The resthe never spoke : scruples cut short what affectionnearly said — yet was he clearly understood : dying,'^39." Caesaris illud opus is used similarly, Consol. ad Liviam,* Maecenas recalls the hostilities between Octavian Caesarand Mark Antony.« ManiJestuJi erat moriens might be taken, with Scaliger,as a Graecism, 5f;Xos -fiv a-rrodi'TJaKwy, " it was clear he wasdying."