The Fasti, Tristia, Pontic Epistles, Ibis and Halieuticon

OR, CALENDAR OF OVID.

The festivals, arranged throughout the Latian year, together with their origin and the constellations as they set beneath the earth and rise, I will celebrate. Receive, Caesar Germanicus, this work with benignant aspect, and direct the course of my timid bark; and not disdaining a mark of attention thus slight, be propitious to this act of duty consecrated to thee. Thou wilt here review the sacred rites brought to light from the ancient annals, and see by what memorable fact each day has been distinguished. Here, too, thou wilt find the household festivals peculiar to thy own faniily. Often must thy sire, often thy grandsire, become the subjects of thy perusal. The rewards of honour distinguishing the painted calendar, which they bear, thou, too, with thy brother Drusus, shalt obtain. Let others sing the arms of Caesar; we will sing the altars of Csesar, and those days which he has added to the festivals. Do thou favour me while endeavouring to recount the praises of thy kindred, and dispel from my breast its trembling fears. Show thyself propitious to me; then wilt thou have given me energy for my verses, for according to thy countenance does my genius stand or fall. My page, about to be submitted to the judgment of a prince thus learned, is moved with awe, as though sent to the Clarian God to be perused. For we have felt how great is the fluency of thy polished eloquence, wh^n it bore civic arms in behalf of the trembling accused. We know, too, when inclination has impelled thee towards our arts, how copious the streams of thy genius now. If it is lawful and right, do thou a poet guide the reins of a poet, so that under thy auspices the whole year may proceed favourably.