Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

NEMESIANUSmy lays, wliicli your own kind heart clu-risliedand your judgement approved. An advancedold age, long esteemed by all, and happy yearsand the final cycle in our human span closedthe period of your life ^^hich injured none.Neither did this make our tears and lamentationsless sore than if churlish death hadplucked the years of your prime : nor didthe common cause " check dirges such asthese: "Ah, Meliboeus, in that chill whichawaits all men you lie strengthless, obeyingthe law of all flesh, worthy though you are ofheaven in your hoary age and worthy of thecouncil of the gods. Your heart was full offirmness fairly balanced. With patient earand soothing word for diverse plaints, youwere wont to judge the disputes of the peasants.Under your guidance flourished a love of lawand a respect for justice ; disputed land wasmarked with a boundary line. You had acourteous dignity in your countenance andkindly brow with an unruffled forehead ; butstill kindlier than your face was your heart.You urged me to adapt the reed-pipe to mylips and to fashion it with wax, and so taughtme to beguile oppressive cares. You wouldnot suffer my youth to languish in idlenessguerdons of no mean price you often gave tomy Muse if she quitted herself well. Often" i.e. that all men are mortal :cf. Hamlet I. ii" Thou know'st 'tis common ; all that lives must die,Passing through nature to eternity ";Temiyson, hi Mernoriam, vi" Loss is common to the raceAnd common is the commonplace."461