Letter 18

Ausonius to Hesperius, greetings. Like the thrush who, plundering the olive of Picenum, fattens his waxen haunches, or who has snatched the gleaming grapes from the vines and now hangs caught in the nets that float cloudlike and loose beneath the evening hours, or are drawn taut at dewy morning: such are the birds that we have sent to you from our wintry hedgerows, birds glad to be taken themselves, twice ten in all; for so many in the twilight of the eastern dawn flung themselves headlong in their flight. Then, to these we have joined the wedded ducks that the spoils of the nearby pool supplied: oar-footed creatures, ravaging the blue waters with their broad bills, red of leg as with Punic dye, whose iridescent plumage paints them with varied color, their necks a rival to doves. These dishes have not been stolen from my own table: with you feasting, we take more delight in them. Farewell and be well, that so I may be well.

EVEN as the thrush who, ravaging the olives or Picenum,5 fattens his waxen haunches,6 or who has torn the gleaming clusters from the vines and now hangs entangled in the nets which in the evening hour float loose like clouds, or in the morn are taut with dew—such are the birds I send thee from our wintry hedges, themselves glad to be caught, twice ten in all; for so many in the twilight of early dawn flew headlong into the net. Thereto I add full-grown ducks which a raid on the neighbouring meres supplies, web-footed birds whose broad beaks ravage the blue waters, with legs of crimson-red and plumage rich as the rainbow dight with various colours, with necks that rival doves. I have not cheated my own table to send these dainties: that thou shouldst eat them causes me more enjoyment. Fare thee well, that so I may fare well.

AUSONIUS HESPERIO S. D. QUALIS Picenae populator turdus olivae clunes opimat cereas vel qui lucentcs rapuit de vitibus uvas, pendetque nexus retibus, quae vespertinis fluitant nebulosa sub horis vel mane tenta roscido: tales hibernis ad te de saepibus, ipsos capi volentes, misimus bis denos; tot enim crepero sub lucis eoae praeceps volatus intulit. tum, quas vicinae suggessit praeda lacunae, anites maritas iunximus, remipedes, lato populantes caerula rostro et crure rubras Punico, iricolor vario pinxit quas pluma colore, collum columbis aemulas, Defrudata meae non sunt haec fercula mensae: vescente te fruimur magis. Vale bene, ut valeam.