Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

AETNABVeacus, in the world of sliades : they also set Ixion'swheel revolving—and whatsoe'er is deeper hid;earth is conscious of the fiilsehood. Nor yet do you,O earth, suffice them : they spy on the divine powers :they are not afraid to let their eyes peer into aheaven where they have no portion. They know thewars of gods, their unions hidden from us, all the sinsof Jove in deceitful guise, as a bull to trick Europa, awhite swan for Leda, a streaming shower of preciousore for Danae. Such freedom must be accorded topoetry ; but with truth alone is my concern. I willsing the movement that makes fervent Aetna boiland greedily gather its own stores of fire renewed.Wherever the earth's vast sphere extends, girtwith the curving waves of farthest ocean, it is not solidall in all. Everywhere the ground has its long lineof fissure, everywhere is cleft and, hollowed deeplywith secret holes, hangs above narrow passageswhich it makes.