‘The Roman Callimachus’

PROPERTIUS

Propertius explains his origins and goals as a poet to his friend, Tullus.

What class I am and from where, Tullus, who my Penates,

you ask all this in the name of our long friendship, Tullus.

If the Perusine tombs of our country are known to you,

funerals in Italy’s hard times,

when Roman discord hunted her citizens —

this was especially painful for me, my Etruscan soil:

you allowed my relative’s limbs to go abandoned,

you cover the poor man’s bones with no earth —

Wolf of Mars,

battlements nurtured on your milk

I’ll try to lay down in solemn verse!

god help me, for the sound in my mouth is tender!

Whatever stream can flow from my narrow

breast, all of it will serve my nation.

To me, Bacchus, extend your leaves of ivy,

that Umbria, swelling with my books, be proud,

Umbria, land of the Roman Callimachus!

Whoever sees the citadels ascend from the valleys

will value their walls by my genius!