Let no slave within the marble threshold of your honored friend inflame your heart; lest the owner of the beloved damsel gratify you with so trifling a present, or, mortifying [to your wishes], torment you [with a refusal].

Look over and over again [into the merits of] such a one, as you recommend; lest afterward the faults of others strike you with shame.  We are sometimes imposed upon, and now and then introduce an unworthy person.  Wherefore, once deceived, forbear to defend one who suffers by his own bad conduct; but protect one whom you entirely know, and with confidence guard him with your patronage, if false accusations attack him:  who being bitten with the tooth of calumny, do you not perceive that the same danger is threatening you?  For it is your own concern, when the adjoining wall is on fire:  and flames neglected are wont to gain strength.

The attending of the levee of a friend in power seems delightful to the unexperienced; the experienced dreads it.  Do you, while your vessel is in the main, ply your business, lest a changing gale bear you back again.

The melancholy hate the merry, and the jocose the melancholy; the volatile [dislike] the sedate, the indolent the stirring and vivacious:  the quaffers of pure Falernian from midnight hate one who shirks his turn; notwithstanding you swear you are afraid of the fumes of wine by night.  Dispel gloominess from your forehead:  the modest man generally carries the look of a sullen one; the reserved, of a churl.

In every thing you must read and consult the learned, by what means you may be enabled to pass your life in an agreeable manner:  that insatiable desire may not agitate and torment you, nor the fear and hope of things that are but of little account:  whether learning acquires virtue, or nature bestows it?  What lessens cares, what may endear you to yourself?  What perfectly renders the temper calm; honor or enticing lucre, or a secret passage and the path of an unnoticed life?

For my part, as often as the cooling rivulet Digentia refreshes me (Digentia, of which Mandela drinks, a village wrinkled with cold); what, my friend, do you think are my sentiments, what do you imagine I pray for?  Why, that my fortune may remain as it is now; or even [if it be something] less:  and that I may live to myself, what remains of my time, if the gods will that aught do remain:  that I may have a good store of books, and corn provided for the year; lest I fluctuate in suspense of each uncertain hour.  But it is sufficient to sue Jove [for these externals], which he gives and takes away [at pleasure]; let him grant life, let him grant wealth:  I myself will provide equanimity of temper.
       * * * * *

EPISTLE XIX.

TO MAECENAS.

He shows the folly of some persons who would imitate; and the envy of others who would censure him.