Ep. 1.3.1Quid agit Cōmum, tuae meaeque dēliciae?How is Comum, your delight and mine? Ep. 1.3.1quid suburbānum amoenissimum, quid illa porticus vērna semper, quid platanōn opācissimus, quid eurīpus viridis et gemmeus, quid subiectus et serviēns lacus, quid illa mollis et tamen solida gestātiō, quid balineum illud quod plūrimus sōl implet et circumit, quid triclīnia illa populāria illa paucōrum, quid cubicula diurna nocturna?How is that most charming villa near the town, how is that colonnade where it is always spring, how is the deeply shaded plane-grove, how is the canal, green and sparkling like a gem, how is the lake that lies below and serves it, how is that drive, soft and yet firm, how is that bath which the sun floods and encircles in full measure, how are those dining-rooms, some for crowds, some for a few, how are the bedrooms for day and night? Ep. 1.3.1Possident tē et per vices partiuntur?Do they possess you and share you out by turns? Ep. 1.3.2An, ut solēbās, intentiōne reī familiāris obeundae crēbrīs excursiōnibus āvocāris?Or, as you used to, are you called away by frequent excursions, intent on attending to your estate?
Ep. 1.3.2Sī possident, fēlīx beātusque es;If they possess you, you are happy and blessed; Ep. 1.3.2sī minus, "ūnus ē multīs".if not, you are 'one of many'. Ep. 1.3.3Quīn tū - tempus enim - humilēs et sordidās cūrās aliīs mandās, et ipse tē in altō istō pinguīque sēcessū studiīs asseris?Why do you not (for it is time) hand over these low and mean cares to others, and claim yourself for your studies in that deep and fruitful retreat of yours? Ep. 1.3.3Hoc sit negōtium tuum hoc ōtium;Let this be your business, this your leisure; Ep. 1.3.3hic labor haec quiēs;this your labour, this your rest; Ep. 1.3.3in hīs vigilia, in hīs etiam somnus repōnātur.let your waking, let even your sleep be devoted to these. Ep. 1.3.4Effinge aliquid et excūde, quod sit perpetuō tuum.Shape something and hammer it out, which may be yours for ever. Ep. 1.3.4Nam reliqua rērum tuārum post tē alium atque alium dominum sortientur, hoc numquam tuum dēsinet esse sī semel coeperit.For the rest of your possessions will fall to one master after another when you are gone; this will never cease to be yours, once it has begun to be.
Ep. 1.3.5Sciō quem animum, quod horter ingenium;I know what spirit, what talent I am urging on; Ep. 1.3.5tū modo ēnītere ut tibi ipse sīs tantī, quantī vidēberis aliīs sī tibi fueris.only strive to be worth as much to yourself as you will seem to others if you are worth it to yourself. Ep. 1.3.5Valē.Farewell.