January 30th | Fastorum Liber Primus: Ianuarius
F NP | III Kal. | I.709-724, Ovid invokes Peace as he closes out the month of January.
Ipsum nos carmen deduxit Pacis ad aram.
haec erit a mensis fine secunda dies. 710
frondibus Actiacis comptos redimita capillos,
Pax, ades et toto mitis in orbe mane.
dum desint hostes, desit quoque causa triumphi:
tu ducibus bello gloria maior eris.
sola gerat miles, quibus arma coerceat, arma, 715
canteturque fera nil nisi pompa tuba.
horreat Aeneadas et primus et ultimus orbis:
si qua parum Romam terra timebat, amet.
tura, sacerdotes, pacalibus addite flammis,
albaque perfusa victima fronte cadat, 720
utque domus, quae praestat eam, cum pace perennet
ad pia propensos vota rogate deos.
sed iam prima mei pars est exacta laboris,
cumque suo finem mense libellus habet.
709 The course of my song hath led me to the altar of Peace. The day will be the second from the end of the month. Come, Peace, thy dainty tresses wreathed with Actian1 laurels, and let thy gentle presence abide in the whole world. So but there be nor foes nor food for triumphs, thou shalt be unto our chiefs a glory greater than war. May the soldier bear arms only to check the armed aggressor, and may the fierce trumpet blare for naught but solemn pomp! May the world near and far dread the sons of Aeneas, and if there be any land that feared not Rome, may it love Rome instead! Add incense, ye priests, to the flames that burn on the altar of Peace, let a white victim fall with wine-anointed brow, and ask of the gods, who lend a favouring ear to pious prayers, that the house, which is the warranty of peace, with peace may last for ever.
723 But now the first part of my labour is done, and with the month of which it treats the book doth end.
Referring to the victory of Actium, 31 B.C.