History & Politics
Caesares: Quatrains IX. — Vitellius
Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (1919–21) · From Book XIV. — Ausonius on the Twelve Caesars
Brutal your life and base your death, nor were you worthy, Vitellius, to become Caesar; 'tis but the Fates' whim. Howbeit, 'twas a passing shadow of empire; for the unworthy often approach the prize of sovereignty: none but the worthy hold them.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Caesares: Quatrains IX. — Vitellius.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/167/.
Chicago
Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Caesares: Quatrains IX. — Vitellius.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/167/.
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