Book IX, Epigram 18 (Ker)

I have — and I pray I may have it long, Caesar, beneath thy guardianship — a tiny country house, and I have, too, a small dwelling in the city. But my curved pole and bucket lift with labour from a shallow valley water to bestow on the thirsty garden; the arid house complains that it is freshened by no moisture, though Marcia babbles in my ears with neighbouring fount. The water thou shalt give, Augustus, to my household gods will be to me a spring of Castaly or a shower of Jove.