Delphi Complete Works of Pliny the Younger (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics)

by Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus Pliny the Younger

  4. — TO PONTIUS.

  You say you have read my hendecasyllables; you would even seek to know how it was that I began to write them, who am, in your estimation, a serious personage, and, as I myself admit, no trifler. I was at no time (to go back a long way) averse from the poetic art; nay more, when fourteen years of age, I wrote a Greek tragedy. “What sort of one?” you ask. I can’t say; it was called a tragedy. Afterwards, when, on my return from military service, I was detained by adverse winds in the island of Icaria, I wrote some Latin elegiacs on the sea there and the island itself. At times I have tried my hand at heroic metre; now for the first time at hendecasyllables, which were originated and first saw the light in this wise. The chapters of Asinius Gallus on the comparison between his father and Cicero were being read to me at my house at Laurentum, when an epigram of Cicero on his favourite Tiro occurred. Afterwards, on retiring for a midday siesta (for it was summer time) when sleep failed to steal over me, I began to ponder how the greatest orators not only esteemed this kind of literary effort as a recreation, but also took credit for it. I applied my mind, and, contrary to my expectation, after such long disuse, in a remarkably short space of time scribbled the following verses on the very subject which had induced me to write: —

  “When Gallus I read, who pretends that his sire

  Had far more than Tully poetical fire:

  The wisest of men, I perceived, held it fit

  To temper his wisdom with love and with wit;

  For Tully, grave Tully, in amorous strains

  Of the frauds of his paramour Tiro complains;

  That, faithless to love and to pleasure untrue,

  From his promised embrace the arch wanton withdrew;

  Then I said to my heart, ‘Why should’st thou conceal

  The sweetest of passions, the love which you feel?

  Yes, fly, wanton Muse, and proclaim it around,

  Thy Pliny has loved and his Tiro has found.’

  The coy one so artful, who sweetly denies,

  And from the sweet flame, but to heighten it, flies.”

  I passed on to elegiacs; these, too, I delivered myself of with no less celerity, and, corrupted by this facility, I added some iambics. Then, on my return to town, I read them to my friends. They approved them. Afterwards I attempted a variety of metres in my leisure moments, and principally when travelling. At last I determined, in accordance with the example set by many, to complete one separate volume of hendecasyllables, nor do I repent having done so. It is read, transcribed, indeed sung, and accompanied — by the Greeks, too, whom their relish for this little book has taught Latin — sometimes on the guitar, at other times on the lyre. But why talk so big? However, poets are privileged to rave. And yet I do not speak from my own but from others’ judgments, who, whether they judge rightly or wrongly, at any rate delight me. I only pray that posterity likewise may judge, whether rightly or wrongly, in the same way.

  Detailed table of contents listing each letter

  5. C. PLINIUS CALPURNIAE SUAE S.

  1 Incredibile est quanto desiderio tui tenear. In causa amor primum, deinde quod non consuevimus abesse. Inde est quod magnam noctium partem in imagine tua vigil exigo; inde quod interdiu, quibus horis te visere solebam, ad diaetam tuam ipsi me, ut verissime dicitur, pedes ducunt; quod denique aeger et maestus ac similis excluso a vacuo limine recedo. Unum tempus his tormentis caret, quo in foro et Samicorum litibus conteror. 2 Aestima tu, quae vita mea sit, cui requies in labore, in miseria curisque solacium. Vale.

  5. — TO CALPURNIA, HIS WIFE.

  It is incredible what a yearning for you possesses me. The reason of this is first of all my love for you, and next that we have not been accustomed to be separated. Hence it is that I spend a great part of my nights wakeful over your image; hence in the day, at the times when I was in the habit of looking in on you, my feet of their own accord take me — as the phrase runs most truly — to your apartment; hence in the end, sick at heart and sad, as one who has been denied admittance, I retire from the deserted threshold. One time alone is free from these torments, that in which I am worn out in the Forum by the law-suits of my friends. It is for you to judge what my life must be when it finds its repose in labour, its solace in miseries and cares!

  Detailed table of contents listing each letter

  6. C. PLINIUS MACRINO SUO S.

  1 Rara et notabilis res Vareno contigit, sit licet adhuc dubia. Bithyni accusationem eius ut temere incohatam omisisse narrantur. ‘Narrantur’ dico? Adest provinciae legatus, attulit decretum concilii ad Caesarem, attulit ad multos principes viros, attulit etiam ad nos Vareni advocatos. 2 Perstat tamen idem ille Magnus; quin etiam Nigrinum optimum virum pertinacissime exercet. Per hunc a consulibus postulabat, ut Varenus exhibere rationes cogeretur. 3 Assistebam Vareno iam tantum ut amicus et tacere decreveram. Nihil enim tam contrarium quam si advocatus a senatu datus defenderem ut reum, cui opus esset ne reus videretur. 4 Cum tamen finita postulatione Nigrini consules ad me oculos rettulissent, ‘Scietis’ inquam ‘constare nobis silentii nostri rationem, cum veros legatos provinciae audieritis.’ Contra Nigrinus: ‘Ad quem missi sunt?’ Ego: ‘Ad me quoque: habeo decretum provinciae.’ 5 Rursus ille: ‘Potest tibi liquere.’ Ad hoc ego: ‘Si tibi ex diverso liquet, potest et mihi quod est melius liquere.Ì 6 Tum legatus Polyaenus causas abolitae accusationis exposuit, postulavitque ne cognitioni Caesaris praeiudicium fieret. Respondit Magnus iterumque Polyaenus. Ipse raro et breviter interlocutus multum me intra silentium tenui. 7 Accepi enim non minus interdum oratorium esse tacere quam dicere.

  Atque adeo repeto me quibusdam capitis reis vel magis silentio quam oratione accuratissima profuisse. 8 Mater amisso filio — quid enim prohibet, quamquam alia ratio scribendae epistulae fuerit, de studiis disputare? — libertos eius eosdemque coheredes suos falsi et veneficii reos detulerat ad principem, iudicemque impetraverat Iulium Servianum. 9 Defenderam reos ingenti quidem coetu; erat enim causa notissima, praeterea utrimque ingenia clarissima. Finem cognitioni quaestio imposuit, quae secundum reos dedit. 10 Postea mater adiit principem, affirmavit se novas probationes invenisse. Praeceptum est Suburano, ut vacaret finitam causam retractanti, si quid novi afferret. 11 Aderat matri Iulius Africanus, nepos illius oratoris, quo audito Passienus Crispus dixit: ‘Bene mehercule, bene; sed quo tam bene?’ Huius nepos, iuvenis ingeniosus sed non parum callidus, cum multa dixisset assignatumque tempus implesset, ‘Rogo’ inquit, ‘Suburane, permittas mihi unum verbum adicere.’ 12 Tum ego, cum omnes me ut diu responsurum intuerentur, ‘Respondissem’ inquam ‘si unum illud verbum Africanus adiecisset, in quo non dubito omnia nova fuisse.’ 13 Non facile me repeto tantum assensum agendo consecutum, quantum tunc non agendo.

  Similiter nunc et probatum et exceptum est, quod pro Vareno hactenus tacui. 14 Consules, ut Polyaenus postulabat, omnia integra principi servaverunt; cuius cognitionem suspensus exspecto. Nam dies ille nobis pro Vareno aut securitatem et otium dabit aut intermissum laborem renovata sollicitudine iniunget. Vale.

  6. — TO MACRINUS.

  A strange and remarkable circumstance has happened to Varenus, though it be still of an uncertain character. The Bithynians are reported to have given up his prosecution on the ground of its having been undertaken without consideration. Reported, do I say? The agent of the province is here, and has brought a decree of its council to Cæsar, to many of our leading men, and to us, the advocates of Varenus, into the bargain. Still, that same Magnus holds out; more than this, he worries with the utmost pertinacity the worthy Nigrinus, through whom he made application to the consuls that Varenus should be ordered to produce his accounts. I assisted Varenus, but now only as a friend, having made up my mind to hold my tongue. For nothing could be more disadvantageous than that I, appointed his advocate by the Senate, should defend, as though lying under an accusation, a person to whom it imported that he should appear not to be accused at all. However, when at the close of Nigrinus’s application the consuls turned their eyes towards me, “You will know,” said I, “
that I have good reason for my silence when you have heard the real agents of the province.” In answer to this, “To whom have they been sent?” asked Nigrinus. Said I, “To me, as well as to others. I am in possession of the decree of the province.” To which he returned, “You may feel satisfied.” I replied, “If you are satisfied the other way, it is possible that I, too, may be satisfied, and with better reason.” Upon this the provincial agent, Polyænus, set forth the grounds for annulling the prosecution, and demanded that there should be no prejudgment of the matter in view of Cæsar’s cognisance of it. Magnus spoke in reply, and Polyænus a second time. For my part, merely interspersing an occasional and brief remark, I observed in general a profound silence. For I have learnt that there are times when it is no less the part of an orator to hold his tongue than to speak. And I can even remember that in the case of certain persons capitally accused, I have served them still better by my silence than by the most elaborate oratory.

  A mother who had lost her son (for what prohibits me, though my reason for writing this letter was a different one, from discussions of a professional kind?) accused to the prince his freedmen, who were also co-heirs with her, of forgery and poisoning, and obtained Julius Servianus for judge. I defended the accused, and that too in a very crowded court; for the case attracted great notice, and, besides, the most celebrated talent was employed on either side. The trial ended by the slaves being put to the question, and the result was in favour of the accused. Subsequently the mother applied to the prince, declaring that she had discovered fresh evidence. Suburanus was directed to hear the case thus decided, reargued, in the event of her producing any new matter. The mother’s counsel was Julius Africanus, a grandson of that orator after hearing whom Passienus Crispus exclaimed, “Finely spoken, by Hercules, finely spoken! But to what end all this fine speaking?” This orator’s grandson, a young man of talent, but not much judgment, after he had talked at great length and filled up the time allotted him, “I beg,” said he, “Suburanus, that you would permit me to add just one word.” Then I, when all were looking to me with the expectation of hearing a long reply, spoke thus, “I should have replied, if Africanus had added just that ‘one word,’ which, I doubt not, would have contained all his new matter.” I cannot readily call to mind having ever obtained so much approval by speaking, as I did then by not speaking. Similarly on the present occasion I was lauded and welcomed for having so far held my tongue on behalf of Varenus. The consuls, in accordance with the application of Polyænus, have kept the whole matter open for the prince, whose decision I await in suspense. For, the day when it is given will either put us at rest and at ease for Varenus, or will force us to resume our interrupted labours with renewed anxiety.

  Detailed table of contents listing each letter

  7. C. PLINIUS SATURNINO SUO S.

  1 Et proxime Prisco nostro et rursus, quia ita iussisti, gratias egi. Libentissime quidem: est enim mihi periucundum, quod viri optimi mihique amicissimi adeo cohaesistis, ut invicem vos obligari putetis. 2 Nam ille quoque praecipuam se voluptatem ex amicitia tua capere profitetur, certatque tecum honestissimo certamine mutuae caritatis, quam ipsum tempus augebit. Te negotiis distineri ob hoc moleste fero, quod deservire studiis non potes. Si tamen alteram litem per iudicem alteram — ut ais — ipse finieris, incipies primum istic otio frui, deinde satiatus ad nos reverti. Vale.

  7. — TO SATURNINUS.

  I thanked our friend Priscus lately, and have done so again — since you so bade me — with the greatest pleasure. It is indeed particularly delightful to me that two such excellent men and dear friends of mine should be so knit together as to think yourselves under a reciprocal obligation. For he, too, professes to derive the highest gratification from your intimacy, and engages with you in a truly noble contest of mutual affection, which time itself will increase. I am sorry to hear that you are engrossed by business, for this reason, that you are unable to devote yourself to literature. However, when you have concluded one case before a judge, and (as you tell me) settled the other in person, you will begin, first, to enjoy your leisure where you are, and then, when you have had enough of it, to think of returning to us.

  Detailed table of contents listing each letter

  8. C. PLINIUS PRISCO SUO S.

  1 Exprimere non possum, quam iucundum sit mihi quod Saturninus noster summas tibi apud me gratias aliis super alias epistulis agit. 2 Perge ut coepisti, virumque optimum quam familiarissime dilige, magnam voluptatem ex amicitia eius percepturus nec ad breve tempus. 3 Nam cum omnibus virtutibus abundat, tum hac praecipue, quod habet maximam in amore constantiam. Vale.

  8. — TO PRISCUS.

  I cannot express my delight at our friend Saturninus speaking to me of his deep thankfulness to you in letter after letter. Go on as you have begun, and cherish with all possible affection this excellent man, from whose friendship you will derive great satisfaction, and for no short time either; for abounding as he is in all good qualities, he is principally distinguished for the remarkable constancy of his affections.

  Detailed table of contents listing each letter

  9. C. PLINIUS FUSCO SUO S.

  1 Quaeris quemadmodum in secessu, quo iam diu frueris, putem te studere oportere. 2 Utile in primis, et multi praecipiunt, vel ex Graeco in Latinum vel ex Latino vertere in Graecum. Quo genere exercitationis proprietas splendorque verborum, copia figurarum, vis explicandi, praeterea imitatione optimorum similia inveniendi facultas paratur; simul quae legentem fefellissent, transferentem fugere non possunt. 3 Intellegentia ex hoc et iudicium acquiritur. Nihil offuerit quae legeris hactenus, ut rem argumentumque teneas, quasi aemulum scribere lectisque conferre, ac sedulo pensitare, quid tu quid ille commodius. Magna gratulatio si non nulla tu, magnus pudor si cuncta ille melius. Licebit interdum et notissima eligere et certare cum electis. 4 Audax haec, non tamen improba, quia secreta contentio: quamquam multos videmus eius modi certamina sibi cum multa laude sumpsisse, quosque subsequi satis habebant, dum non desperant, antecessisse. 5 Poteris et quae dixeris post oblivionem retractare, multa retinere plura transire, alia interscribere alia rescribere. 6 Laboriosum istud et taedio plenum, sed difficultate ipsa fructuosum, recalescere ex integro et resumere impetum fractum omissumque, postremo nova velut membra peracto corpori intexere nec tamen priora turbare. 7 Scio nunc tibi esse praecipuum studium orandi; sed non ideo semper pugnacem hunc et quasi bellatorium stilum suaserim. Ut enim terrae variis mutatisque seminibus, ita ingenia nostra nunc hac nunc illa meditatione recoluntur. 8 Volo interdum aliquem ex historia locum apprendas, volo epistulam diligentius scribas. Nam saepe in oratione quoque non historica modo sed prope poetica descriptionum necessitas incidit, et pressus sermo purusque ex epistulis petitur. 9 Fas est et carmine remitti, non dico continuo et longo — id enim perfici nisi in otio non potest -, sed hoc arguto et brevi, quod apte quantas libet occupationes curasque distinguit. 10 Lusus vocantur; sed hi lusus non minorem interdum gloriam quam seria consequuntur. Atque adeo — cur enim te ad versus non versibus adhorter? —

  11 ut laus est cerae, mollis cedensque sequatur

  si doctos digitos iussaque fiat opus

  et nunc informet Martem castamve Minervam,

  nunc Venerem effingat, nunc Veneris puerum;

  utque sacri fontes non sola incendia sistunt,

  saepe etiam flores vernaque prata iuvant,

  sic hominum ingenium flecti ducique per artes

  non rigidas docta mobilitate decet.

  12 Itaque summi oratores, summi etiam viri sic se aut exercebant aut delectabant, immo delectabant exercebantque. 13 Nam mirum est ut his opusculis animus intendatur remittatur. Recipiunt enim amores odia iras misericordiam urbanitatem, omnia denique quae in vita atque etiam in foro causisque versantur. 14 Inest his quoque eadem quae aliis carminibus utilitas, quod metri necessitate devincti soluta oratione laetamur, et quod facilius esse comparatio ostendit, libentius scribimus.

  15 Habes plura etiam fortasse quam requirebas; unum tamen omisi. Non enim dixi quae legenda arbitrarer: quamq
uam dixi, cum dicerem quae scribenda. Tu memineris sui cuiusque generis auctores diligenter eligere. Aiunt enim multum legendum esse, non multa. 16 Qui sint hi adeo notum probatumque est, ut demonstratione non egeat; et alioqui tam immodice epistulam extendi, ut dum tibi quemadmodum studere debeas suadeo, studendi tempus abstulerim. Quin ergo pugillares resumis, et aliquid ex his vel istud ipsum quod coeperas scribis? Vale.

  9. — TO FUSCUS.

  You ask me after what manner I think you ought to pursue your studies in the retirement which you have now for some time enjoyed. It will be particularly profitable — and so it is laid down by many — to translate either from Greek into Latin, or from Latin into “Greek. This is a kind of exercise which will furnish you with propriety and brilliancy of expression, a great supply of ornamental turns, force in exposition, and, moreover, by imitation of the best models, a faculty of inventing what will resemble them. At the same time, what might have eluded the notice of a reader cannot escape a translator. By this means taste and judgment are acquired. It will do you no harm if — taking what you have read with sufficient attention to recollect the matter and the argument — you write down the substance in a spirit of rivalry, and then compare it with what you have read, carefully considering what you and what your author have put in a preferable way. Great will be your joy if you have bettered him in some places; great your shame if he has bettered you in everything. It will sometimes be permissible to select the best known parts, and to compete with the choicest passages. This contest, though a daring one, will not be impertinent, because it is carried on in private. Though, for the matter of that, we see many who have undertaken this kind of competition with great credit, and who, by reason of not despairing, have outstripped those whom they thought it sufficient to follow in the wake of. You may also take in hand again what you have written, after you have forgotten it, and then retain much of it, throw out more, insert some things, and rewrite others. This is an irksome and extremely tedious task, but which the difficulty itself renders profitable — to warm to one’s work afresh, and resume one’s swing after it has been enfeebled and has ceased, and, finally, to insert fresh members, so to speak, in a completed framework, yet so as not to disturb what was there before.