Living

Ephemeris II. — The Interlude

by Decimus Magnus Ausonius c. AD 310 – c. 395

Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (1919–21) · From Book II. — The Daily Round

Living

Hi, boy! Get up! Bring me my slippers and my tunic of lawn: bring all the clothes that you have ready now for my going out. Fetch me spring water to wash my hands and mouth and eyes. Get me the chapel opened, but with no outward display: holy words and guiltless prayers are furniture enough for worship. I do not call for incense to be burnt nor for any slice of honey-cake: hearths of green turf I leave for the altars of vain gods. I must pray to God and to the Son of God most high, that co-equal Majesty united in one fellowship with the Holy Spirit. And lo, now I begin my prayers: my heart feels Heaven is near and trembles. Have faith and hope, then, anything to fear?

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Ephemeris II. — The Interlude.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/1/.

Chicago

Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Ephemeris II. — The Interlude.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/1/.

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