“Fear (in times of doubt the worst of prophets) revolves many things.”
Plurima versat,
pessimus in dubiis augur, timor.
Source: Thebaid, Book III, Line 5
“Pleasant is it to the unhappy to speak, and to recall the sorrows of old time.”
Dulce loqui miseris veteresque reducere questus.
Source: Thebaid, Book V, Line 48 (tr. J. H. Mozley)
“And now it was your purpose to weep Vesuvius' flames in pious melody and spend your tears on the losses of your native place, what time the Father took the mountain from earth and lifted it to the stars only to plunge it down upon the hapless cities far and wide.”
Jamque et flere pio Vesuvina incendia cantu
mens erat et gemitum patriis impendere damnis,
cum pater exemptum terris ad sidera montem
sustulit et late miseras deiecit in urbes.
iii, line 205
Silvae, Book V
“Give not rein to your hot mood, give time, a little delay; impulse is ever a bad servant.”
Ne frena animo permitte calenti,
da spatium tenuemque moram, male cuncta ministrat
impetus.
Source: Thebaid, Book X, Line 703. Variant translation: Give not reins to your inflamed passions: take time and a little delay; impetuosity manages all things badly.
“May that day perish from Time's record, nor future generations believe it! Let us at least keep silence, and suffer the crimes of our own house to be buried deep in whelming darkness.”
Excidat illa dies aevo nec postera credant
saecula. nos certe taceamus et obruta multa
nocte tegi propriae patiamur crimina gentis.
ii, line 88 (tr. J. H. Mozley)
Silvae, Book V
“Long time has Thetis been scanning every corner with silent glance.”
Jamdudum tacito lustrat Thetis omnia visu.
Source: Achilleid, Book I, Line 126
“Or to describe to his pupil upon his lyre the heroes of old time.”
Aut monstrare lyra veteres heroas alumno.
Source: Achilleid, Book I, Line 118