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EPISTLE XVI.

TO QUINCTIUS.

He describes to Quinctius the form, situation, and advantages of his country house:  then declares that probity consists in the consciousness of good works; liberty, in probity.

Ask me not, my best Quinctius, whether my farm maintains its master with corn-fields, or enriches him with olives, or with fruits, or meadow land, or the elm tree clothed with vines:  the shape and situation of my ground shall be described to you at large.

There is a continued range of mountains, except where they are separated by a shadowy vale; but in such a manner, that the approaching sun views it on the right side, and departing in his flying car warms the left.  You would commend its temperature.  What?  If my [very] briers produce in abundance the ruddy cornels and damsens?  If my oak and holm tree accommodate my cattle with plenty of acorns, and their master with a copious shade?  You would say that Tarentum, brought nearer [to Rome], shone in its verdant beauty.  A fountain too, deserving to give name to a river, insomuch that Hebrus does not surround Thrace more cool or more limpid, flows salubrious to the infirm head, salubrious to the bowels.  These sweet, yea now (if you will credit me) these delightful retreats preserve me to you in a state of health [even] in the September season.

You live well, if you take care to support the character which you bear.  Long ago, all Rome has proclaimed you happy:  but I am apprehensive, lest you should give more credit concerning yourself to any one than yourself; and lest you should imagine a man happy, who differs from the wise and good; or, because the people pronounce you sound and perfectly well, lest you dissemble the lurking fever at meal-times, until a trembling seize your greased hands.  The false modesty of fools conceals ulcers [rather than have them cured].  If any one should mention battles which you had fought by land and sea, and in such expressions as these should soothe your listening ears:  “May Jupiter, who consults the safety both of you and of the city, keep it in doubt, whether the people be more solicitous for your welfare, or you for the people’s;” you might perceive these encomiums to belong [only] to Augustus when you suffer yourself to be termed a philosopher, and one of a refined life; say, pr’ythee, would you answer [to these appellations] in your own name?  To be sure—­I like to be called a wise and good man, as well as you.  He who gave this character to-day, if he will, can take it away to-morrow:  as the same people, if they have conferred the consulship on an unworthy person, may take it away from him:  “Resign; it is ours,” they cry:  I do resign it accordingly, and chagrined withdraw.  Thus if they should call me rogue, deny me to be temperate, assert that I had strangled my own father with a halter; shall I be stung, and