Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

RLTILirS XA.MATIANUSPharos/' con«;pic'U(>us with iiiiihtly liuht, has piersbuilt there which rise into the sky; but men longago, finding a mighty eiitf to serve as a look-outwhere the towering hill-crest overhangs the conqueredwaves, laid the foundations of a castle fortwin services to man—a defence on land and signalpostfor sea. The memorials of an earlier agecannot be recognised : devouring time has wastedits mighty battlements away. Traces only remainnow that the walls are lost : under a wide stretchof rubble lie the buried homes. Let us not chafethat human frames dissolve : from precedents wediscern that towns can die.^Here a joyful piece of news spreads as we listen:it was almost my decision to go back to Rome. Heredo we learn that the prefecture of the Sacred Cityhas been bestowed upon your merits, beloved friend.I'd fain include your true name hi my poem: butthe strict law of metre avoids certain feet.*^ Yourcognomen will come in a line,'^ dearest Rufius : bythat name but recently my page has sung yourpraise.^ Let a day of festivity, such as years agohonoured my own home with garlands on the door,now show respect to hopes fulfilled : / let greenquorum vita hrevior esse debet, cum uno loco tot oppidum cadaveraiacent ?' Rufius' full name, Ceionius Rufius Volusianus, is inadmissiblein elegiacs.^ The vexed line, 421, whether Veneri is read as dative ofVenus or as vocative of Venerius, offers no sure foundationfor the addition of Venerius to the name of Rufius. TakingVeneri as vocative, some editors have thought Rutiliusdedicated his poem to " Venerius " Rufius.' Supra, linos 167-178.f Rufius' elevation brings back to Rutilius' mind his ownprefecture : cf. I. 157-160.8oi