slaves.  If then wealth alone can make and keep a man happy, be first in beginning this work, be last in leaving it off.  If appearances and popularity make a man fortunate, let as purchase a slave to dictate [to us] the names [of the citizens], to jog us on the left-side, and to make us stretch our hand over obstacles:  “This man has much interest in the Fabian, that in the Veline tribe; this will give the fasces to any one, and, indefatigably active, snatch the curule ivory from whom he pleases; add [the names of] father, brother:  according as the age of each is, so courteously adopt him.  If he who feasts well, lives well; it is day, let us go whither our appetite leads us:  let us fish, let us hunt, as did some time Gargilius:  who ordered his toils, hunting-spears, slaves, early in the morning to pass through the crowded forum and the people:  that one mule among many, in the sight of the people, might return loaded with a boar purchased with money.  Let us bathe with an indigested and full-swollen stomach, forgetting what is becoming, what not; deserving to be enrolled among the citizens of Caere; like the depraved crew of Ulysses of Ithaca, to whom forbidden pleasure was dearer than their country.  If, as Mimnermus thinks, nothing is pleasant without love and mirth, live in love and mirth.

Live:  be happy.  If you know of any thing preferable to these maxims, candidly communicate it:  if not, with me make use of these.

* * * * *

EPISTLE VII.

TO MAECENAS.

He apologizes to Maecenas for his long absence from Rome; and acknowledges his favors to him in such a manner as to declare liberty preferable to all other blessings.

Having promised you that I would be in the country but five days, false to my word, I am absent the whole of August.  But, if you would have me live sound and in perfect health, the indulgence which you grant me, Maecenas, when I am ill, you will grant me [also] when I am afraid of being ill:  while [the time of] the first figs, and the [autumnal] heat graces the undertaker with his black attendants; while every father and mother turn pale with fear for their children; and while over-acted diligence, and attendance at the forum, bring on fevers and unseal wills.  But, if the winter shall scatter snow upon the Alban fields, your poet will go down to the seaside, and be careful of himself, and read bundled up; you, dear friend, he will revisit with the zephyrs, if you will give him leave, and with the first swallow.

You have made me rich, not in the manner in which the Calabrian host bids [his guest] eat of his pears.  “Eat, pray, sir.”  “I have had enough.”  “But take away with you what quantity you will.”  “You are very kind.”  “You will carry them no disagreeable presents to your little children.”  “I am as much obliged by your offer, as if I were sent away loaded.”  “As you please: