Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

CATO37. Thyself to promise years of life forbear ;Death, like thy shadow, dogs thee everywhere.38. Spare calves to plough : heaven's grace ^^^thincense gainThink not God loves the blood of victims slain.39. When stricken, yield to Fortune, yield to power:Who once could hurt may help in happier hour.40. For faults committed, oft yourself arraign :In treating wounds, the cure for pain is pain.•il.Never condemn your friend of many a yearIf changed his ways, think how he once was dear.42. Show gratitude to bind affection's tie :Lest " ingrate " be the name you justify.43. Earn not suspicion lest you live in grief:Suspected cravens find in death relief.44. When you've bought slaves to serve your ownsweet will.Though servants called, they're men, remember,still.45. The lucky chance you must secure with speed.Lest you go seeking what you failed to heed.46. Joy not when knaves come by a sudden endTheir death is blest whose life you can commend.47. Having a w-ife, wouldst save thy gear and fame ?Beware the friend who is but friend in name.48. Great knowledge you have gained from books,you ownYet note that life has lessons to be known.49. You wonder that I write in these bare lines ?Terseness the couplet in one thought combines.*" An apology for the unadorned language of the distichs :the aim at brevity has prevented expansion, the object beingto clinch one general thought in a couplet (or, if sensusconiungere hinos be read, "to combine two allied thoughts").621