Book IV, Elegy 2

Why marvellest thou that my one body should have so many shapes? Learn the tokens of the god Vertumnus' birth. A Tuscan I from Tuscans sprung, nor do I repent me that I left Volsinii's hearths amid the din of battle. This throng that is ever round me is my joy; I need no ivory temple for my delight; enough that I can see the Roman Forum.

There once the Tiber went, and they say that the sound of oars was heard across the smitten shallows. But after he had yielded thus much ground to his nurslings I was called the god Vertumnus from the turning of the river. Or else because I receive the first-fruits of the year as it turns its round, for this reason also thou deemest that offering to be Vertumnus' due. For me the first grape changes colour with darkening cluster, and the spiked ear of corn swells with its milky fruit. Here thou seest sweet cherries glow, here autumn plums and summer mulberries. Here the grafter pays his vows with garland of fruit, when the pear's unwilling stock hath borne him apples.

Lying rumour be silent; another warrant is there for my name; believe the god that tells his own tale. My nature suits with every form: turn me to what thou wilt, I shall still be comely. Clothe me in silks of Cos, I shall prove a graceful girl; and when I wear the toga who shall deny me to be a man? Give me a sickle and bind my brow with twisted hay, thou wilt swear that grass has been cut by my hands. Once I bore arms and, I mind me, won praise in war; but when the heavy basket was placed upon my back I was a reaper. Sober am I when law-suits call, yet when the wreath is on my brow thou wilt cry that the wine has stolen to my head. Gird my head with a turban, I will steal for me the semblance of Iacchus; I will steal the semblance of Phoebus if thou wilt but give me his lyre. With nets on my shoulder I go hunting; but when the fowler's reed is in my hand I am that god who speeds the snaring of feathered fowl. Vertumnus takes also the guise of a charioteer, and of him who transfers his nimble weight from horse to horse. Supply me and with a rod I will take spoil of fish, or will go my way a spruce pedlar with trailing tunic. I can stoop like a shepherd o'er his crook; I too can bring roses in baskets through the midst of summer's dust. For why should I add, since there lies my greatest fame, that the garden's choice gifts may be seen in my hands? The dark-green cucumber and the gourd with swelling belly and the cabbage tied with light rushes mark me out. Nor grows there any flower in the fields but is placed upon my brow and droops in comely fashion before my face. Nay, my name sprang from my deeds; 'twas because I turned to every shape that my native tongue bestowed it on me.

And thou, Rome, thou didst reward my Tuscan kin — from whom to-day the Tuscan street is named — what time the Lycomedian came with succouring host and crushed the Sabine warriors of fierce Tatius. I saw the breaking ranks, the weapons cast to earth, I saw the foe turn his back in base flight.

But do thou, O Father of the gods, grant that the toga-clad throng of Rome may pass for ever before my feet.

Six lines remain; I would not delay you that hurry to answer your bail; this is the ending of my course.

Once I was a maple stock, rough-hewn with hurried sickle; 'twas before Numa's days I dwelt, no wealthy god, in the city of my love. But may the rude earth ne'er bruise thy cunning hands, Mamurius, that didst grave my form in bronze and hadst the skill to cast me to such changeful use. Thy work is but one, yet manifold the honour that it wins.