Spes et venturae coniugis aptus amor.
Propertius, III. (IV.) xxii. 5-26, 39-42.
Subject. Go where thou wilt, my Tullus, know that all the sights and marvels of all lands, from West to East, are outdone by those of thine own Italy. A truly famous land! A land ever victorious, ever merciful; full of fair lakes and streams. Here, Tullus, is thy true abode: here seek a life of honour and a home.
8 Phorcidos ora = the head of Medusa, the daughter of Phorcus.
15 Ortygii Caystri. Ortygia, an old name for Ephesus, near the mouth of the R. Cayster: the haunt of quails (Ortygia, ὄρτυξ).
16 temperat septenas vias = moderates its seven channels, of the delta of the Nile.—Ramsay.
19-22 Cf. Verg. Aen. vi. 853 Parcere subiectis et debellare superbos.
19 commoda noxae = disposed to harm.—North Pinder.
24 Marcius umor, i.e. the aqueduct of Q. Marcius Rex; built 145 B.C.
25 The Alban and Arician Lakes (Nemorensis = mod. Nemi) are close together.