Lucretius

Question 1

O genus infelix humanum, talia divis
cum tribuit facta atque iras adiunxit acerbas! 1195
quantos tum gemitus ipsi sibi, quantaque nobis
volnera, quas lacrimas peperere minoribu’ nostris!

Answer 1

O unhappy race of mankind, when it ascribes such doings to the gods and attributes bitter wrath to them too! How many groans did they create for themselves, how many wounds for us, what tears for our descendants!

Question 2

nec pietas ullast velatum saepe videri
vertier ad lapidem atque omnis accedere ad aras,
nec procumbere humi prostratum et pandere palmas 1200
ante deum delubra, nec aras sanguine multo
spargere quadrupedum, nec votis nectere vota,
sed mage placata posse omnia mente tueri.

Answer 2

It is not piety to show oneself often with a covered head, turning to a stone and approaching every altar, nor to fall prostrate upon the ground and to spread open palms before shrines of te gods, nor to sprinkle altars with much blood of four-footed beasts, nor to bind vows with vows, but rather to be able to view all things with a clam mind.

Question 3

Nam cum suspicimus magni caelestia mundi
templa super stellisque micantibus aethera fixum, 1205
et venit in mentem solis lunaeque viarum,
tunc aliis oppressa malis in pectora cura
illa quoque expergefactum caput erigere infit,
nequae forte deum nobis inmensa potestas
sit, vario motu quae candida sidera verset; 1210

Answer 3

For when we look upwards to the celestial regions of the great sky, to the aether above affixed with sparkling stars, and the paths of the sun and moon come to mind, then into our hearts already crushed with other evils that anxious care too begins to raise its awakened head,
whether by chance there exists for us some immense power of the gods, which turns the white stars to varied motion;

Question 4

temptat enim dubiam mentem rationis egestas,
ecquaenam fuerit mundi genitalis origo,
et simul ecquae sit finis, quoad moenia mundi
solliciti motus hunc possint ferre laborem,
an divinitus aeterna donata salute 1215
perpetuo possint aevi labentia tractu
inmensi validas aevi contemnere viris.

Answer 4

for the lack of reasoning tests the mind uncertain mind, what exactly the generative orgin of the world was, and at the same time what its end might be, and how long the walls of the world are able to bear the strain of this restless motion, or whether endowed with eternal existence by divine ordinance
they are able to glide on forever through the course of time scorning the strong forces of immeasurable time.

Question 5

Praeterea cui non animus formidine divum
contrahitur, cui non correpunt membra pavore,
fulminis horribili cum plaga torrida tellus 1220
contremit et magnum percurrunt murmura caelum?

Answer 5

besides, whose mind does not shrink with dread of the gods, whose limbs are not seized by fear, when the scorched earth quakes with the terrifying blow of lightning and rumblings run through the great sky.

Question 6

non populi gentesque tremunt, regesque superbi
corripiunt divum percussi membra timore,
ne quod ob admissum foede dictumve superbe
poenarum grave sit solvendi tempus adactum? 1225

Answer 6

Do peoples and races not tremble, do proud kings not clutch their limbs, struck by fear of the gods, lest because of some shameful deed or arrogant word the solemn time of punishment might be driven upon them?

Question 7

Summa etiam cum vis violenti per mare venti
induperatorem classis super aequora verrit
cum validis pariter legionibus atque elephantis,
non divom pacem votis adit ac prece quaesit
ventorum pavidus paces animasque secundas?— 1230

Answer 7

When also the supreme violence of a furious wind upon the sea sweeps a chief admiral of a fleet along with his mighty legions and elephants over the waters, does he not approach the gods’ peace with vows, does he, fearful, not seek with prayers the peace of the winds and favourable breezes?

Question 8

nequiquam, quoniam violento turbine saepe
correptus nilo fertur minus ad vada leti.
usque adeo res humanas vis abdita quaedam
obterit, et pulchros fascis saevasque secures
proculcare ac ludibrio sibi habere videtur. 1235

Answer 8

But in vain, since none the less he is often seized by a violent storm and carried to the shoals of death. To such an extent some hidden force crushes human affairs and seems to trample upon the noble rods and cruel axes and hold them to itself in mockery.

Question 9

Denique sub pedibus tellus cum tota vacillat
concussaeque cadunt urbes dubiaeque minantur,
quid mirum si se temnunt mortalia saecla
atque potestates magnas mirasque relinquunt
in rebus viris divum, quae cuncta gubernent? 1240

Answer 9

Then when the whole earth trembles beneath our feet, when cities are shaken and fallen and wavering ones threaten to (fall), what wonder is it if mortal generations despise themselves and leave the great potency and marvellous might of the gods in the world, who govern all things.