THE COMMON COLLECTION OF DISTICHS (EXCERPTS) - Dionysius Cato Poems

 
 

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THE COMMON COLLECTION OF DISTICHS (EXCERPTS)
Libros lege.
Read books.

Liber I  18. Cum fueris felix, quae sunt aduersa caueto:
          Non eodem cursu respondent ultima primis.
    When fortune smiles, beware lest some ill strike;
    End and beginning often are unlike.

Liber II  18. Insipiens esto, cum tempus postulat ipsum:
          Stultitiam simulare ioco, cum tempore laus est.
    To fit th' occasion laughable appear;
    'T is sometimes wisdom folly's mask to wear.


Liber III 18. Multa legas facito, tum lectis neglege multa;
          Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda poetae.
    Read much and much of it forget:
    'T is well T' admire but not believe what poets tell.

Liber IV  18. Cum sapias animo, noli ridere senectam;
          Nam quoicumque seni puerilis sensus inhaeret.
    Flout not old age while thou dost sense possess;
    Age ever brings to all some childishness.

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