Nor yet did the race of men, in those days, leave with lamentations the sweet light of life in much greater numbers than at present. For though more frequently at that period, one individual of their number, being caught by wild beasts, and consumed by their teeth, afforded them living food, and filled, meanwhile, the groves, and mountains, and forests, with his shrieks, as he felt his bowels buried in a living tomb; while those whom flight had saved, with their bodies torn, and pressing their trembling hands over their grievous wounds, called on death with horrid cries, until, destitute of relief, and ignorant what their hurts required, cruel tortures deprived them of life. Yet, in those times, one day did not consign to destruction many thousands of men under military banners; nor did the boisterous floods of the sea dash ships and men upon rocks. But the ocean, though often rising and swelling, raged in vain and to no purpose, and laid aside its empty threats without effect; nor could the deceitful allurement of its calm water entice, with its smiling waves, any one into danger; for the daring art of navigation was then unknown. Want of food then consigned languishing bodies to death; now, on the contrary, abundance of luxuries causes destruction. The men of those times often poured out poison for themselves unawares; now persons of their own accord give it craftily to others.

Afterwards, when they procured huts, and skins, and fire, and the woman, united to the man, came to dwell in the same place with him; and when the pure and pleasing connexions of undivided love were known, and they saw a progeny sprung from themselves; then first the human race began to be softened and civilized. For fire now rendered their shivering bodies less able to endure the cold under the canopy of heaven; and love diminished their strength; and children with their blandishments easily subdued the ferocious tempers of their parents. Then, also, neighbours, feeling a mutual friendship, began to form agreements not to hurt or injure one another; and they commended, with sounds and gestures, their children, and the female sex to each other’s protection; while they signified, with imperfect speech, that it is right for every one to have compassion on the weak. Such concord, however, could not be established universally; but the better and greater part kept their faith inviolate, or the human race would then have been wholly destroyed, and the species could not have continued its generations to the present period.

SULPICIA’S BIRTHDAY

Elegies

Sulpicia

Translated by John Heath-Stubbs, 2000