Book IV, Epigram 64 (Ker)

The few fields of Julius Martialis, more favoured than the gardens of the Hesperides, rest on the long ridge of Janiculum: wide sheltered reaches look down on the hills, and the flat summit, gently swelling, enjoys to the full a clearer sky, and, when mist shrouds the winding vales, alone shines with its own brightness; the dainty roof of the tall villa gently rises up to the unclouded stars. On this side may you see the seven sovereign hills and take the measure of all Rome, the Alban hills and Tusculan too, and every cool retreat nestling near the city, old Fidenae and tiny Rubrae, and Anna Perenna's fruitful grove that joys in maiden blood. On that side the traveller shows on the Flaminian or Salarian way, though his carriage makes no sound, that wheels should not disturb the soothing sleep which neither boatswain's call nor bargemen's shout is loud enough to break, though the Mulvian Bridge is so near, and the keels that swiftly glide along the sacred Tiber. This country seat — if it should not be called a town mansion — its owner commends to you: you will fancy it is yours, so ungrudgingly, so freely, and with such genial hospitality it lies open to you; you will believe it to be the kindly dwelling of Alcinous, or of Molorchus just become rich. You who to-day deem all this but small, subdue ye cool Tibur's soil, or Praeneste, with an hundred hoes, and assign to one tenant Setia on the hill, so that ye let me as judge prefer to that the few fields of Julius Martialis.