Ep. 8.8.1Vīdistīne aliquandō Clitumnum fontem?Have you ever seen the spring of Clitumnus? Ep. 8.8.1Sī nōndum - et putō nōndum: aliōquī narrāssēs mihi -, vidē;If not yet — and I think not yet, otherwise you would have told me — go and see it; Ep. 8.8.1quem ego - paenitet tarditātis - proximē vīdī.I saw it only lately — I regret my slowness. Ep. 8.8.2Modicus collis assurgit, antīquā cupressū nemorōsus et opācus.A modest hill rises, wooded and shady with ancient cypress. Ep. 8.8.2Hunc subter exit fōns et exprimitur plūribus vēnīs sed imparibus, ēluctātusque quem facit gurgitem lātō gremiō patēscit, pūrus et vitreus, ut numerāre iactās stipēs et relūcentēs calculōs possīs.Beneath 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. Ep. 8.8.3Inde nōn locī dēvexitāte, sed ipsā suī cōpiā et quasi pondere impellitur, fōns adhūc et iam amplissimum flūmen, atque etiam nāvium patiēns;From 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; Ep. 8.8.3quās obviās quoque et contrāriō nīsū in dīversa tendentēs trānsmittit et perfert, adeō validus ut illā quā properat ipse, quamquam per sōlum plānum, remīs nōn adiuvētur, īdem aegerrimē remīs contīsque superētur adversus.these 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.
Ep. 8.8.4Iūcundum utrumque per iocum lūdumque fluitantibus, ut flexerint cursum, labōrem ōtiō ōtium labōre variāre.For 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. Ep. 8.8.4Rīpae fraxinō multā, multā pōpulō vestiuntur, quās perspicuus amnis velut mersās viridī imāgine adnumerat.The 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. Ep. 8.8.4Rigor aquae certāverit nivibus, nec color cēdit.The coldness of the water would rival snow, nor does its colour fall short. Ep. 8.8.5Adiacet templum prīscum et religiōsum.Next to it stands an ancient and holy temple. Ep. 8.8.5Stat Clitumnus ipse amictus ōrnātusque praetextā;Clitumnus himself stands there, clothed and adorned in a bordered robe; Ep. 8.8.5praesēns nūmen atque etiam fātidicum indicant sortēs.the oracular lots show that the divinity is present and even prophetic. Ep. 8.8.5Sparsa sunt circā sacella complūra, totidemque dī.Scattered around are several shrines, and as many gods.
Ep. 8.8.5Sua cuique venerātiō suum nōmen, quibusdam vērō etiam fontēs.Each has his own worship, his own name, and some indeed their own springs too. Ep. 8.8.5Nam praeter illum quasi parentem cēterōrum sunt minōrēs capite discrētī;For besides that one, the parent as it were of the rest, there are lesser ones separate at their source; Ep. 8.8.5sed flūminī miscentur, quod ponte trānsmittitur.but they mingle with the river, which is crossed by a bridge. Ep. 8.8.6Is terminus sacrī profānīque: in superiōre parte nāvigāre tantum, īnfrā etiam natāre concessum.This is the boundary of the sacred and the profane: above it only boating is allowed, below it swimming as well. Ep. 8.8.6Balineum Hispellātēs, quibus illum locum Dīvus Augustus dōnō dedit, pūblicē praebent, praebent et hospitium.The people of Hispellum, to whom the deified Augustus gave this place as a gift, provide a bath at public expense, and provide lodging too. Ep. 8.8.6Nec dēsunt vīllae quae secūtae flūminis amoenitātem marginī īnsistunt.Nor are there lacking villas which, following the charm of the river, stand along its bank. Ep. 8.8.7In summā nihil erit, ex quō nōn capiās voluptātem.In short, there will be nothing from which you will not derive pleasure.
Ep. 8.8.7Nam studēbis quoque: legēs multa multōrum omnibus columnīs omnibus parietibus īnscrīpta, quibus fōns ille deusque celebrātur.For 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. Ep. 8.8.7Plūra laudābis, nōn nūlla rīdēbis;Many you will praise, some you will laugh at; Ep. 8.8.7quamquam tū vērō, quae tua hūmānitās, nūlla rīdēbis.though you, with your kindness, will in fact laugh at none. Ep. 8.8.7Valē.Farewell.