1Have you ever seen the spring of Clitumnus? 1If not yet — and I think not yet, otherwise you would have told me — go and see it; 1I saw it only lately — I regret my slowness. 2A modest hill rises, wooded and shady with ancient cypress. 2Beneath it the spring issues forth and is forced out through several veins, but unequal ones, and having struggled free it opens out into the broad bosom of the pool it forms, pure and clear as glass, so that you can count the coins thrown in and the gleaming pebbles. 3From there it is driven on, not by the slope of the ground but by its own abundance and, as it were, its weight, still a spring and already a very broad river, and even able to bear boats; 3these it carries across and conveys even when they meet it and are heading the other way with contrary effort, so strong that a boat going the way it hurries itself, though over level ground, needs no help from oars, while the same boat going against it is overcome only with the greatest difficulty by oars and poles.
4For those who float on it for fun and sport it is pleasant either way, as they change course, to vary toil with ease and ease with toil. 4The banks are clothed with many an ash, many a poplar, which the clear stream counts up in its green reflection, as if they were sunk in it. 4The coldness of the water would rival snow, nor does its colour fall short. 5Next to it stands an ancient and holy temple. 5Clitumnus himself stands there, clothed and adorned in a bordered robe; 5the oracular lots show that the divinity is present and even prophetic. 5Scattered around are several shrines, and as many gods.
5Each has his own worship, his own name, and some indeed their own springs too. 5For besides that one, the parent as it were of the rest, there are lesser ones separate at their source; 5but they mingle with the river, which is crossed by a bridge. 6This is the boundary of the sacred and the profane: above it only boating is allowed, below it swimming as well. 6The people of Hispellum, to whom the deified Augustus gave this place as a gift, provide a bath at public expense, and provide lodging too. 6Nor are there lacking villas which, following the charm of the river, stand along its bank. 7In short, there will be nothing from which you will not derive pleasure.
7For you will study too: you will read many inscriptions by many hands written on every pillar and every wall, in which that spring and its god are celebrated. 7Many you will praise, some you will laugh at; 7though you, with your kindness, will in fact laugh at none. 7Farewell.