Writing School Work and Poems

Latin Translation: Stage 12

Tremores (Tremors): 

Caecilius was eating dinner with Iulius. Iulius lived in a splendid house near Nuceria.

Iulius said to Caecilius, "I am worried. I was walking through the ground and reading a book. Suddenly the ground started shaking. I felt the tremors. What were you doing?"

"I was telling my slave what to write on a letter." said Caecilius. "I also felt tremors. After the ground shook, Grumio entered the study and took me to the ground. We saw a strange cloud."

"Where you afraid?" asked Iulius.

"We were not afraid," Caecilius responded to Iulius. "I, after seeing the cloud, called my family to the household shrine. Then we made offerings to the household gods."

"Oh hercules. You were very brave." yelled Iulius. "You felt tremors, you saw a cloud. You, however, were not terrified."

"We were not afraid because we trust the gods." says Caecilius. "A long time ago, the ground shook. A long time ago, the houses and towns were destroyed. But the household gods saved me and my family. I am not worried."

Suddenly a slave entered the dining room.

"Master, Clemens is in the reception hall. Clemens exitted the city and is looking for Caecilius." the slave told Iulius,

"I am not lclever," Caecilius exclaimed. "I  told Clemens to go to the farm."

The slave lead Clemens to the dining room.

"Why are you not at the farm? Why did you come to the house?" asked Caecilius.

Clemens told his master and Iulius the whole story.

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Ad urbem (To the city): 

"I was hurrying to your farm," Clemens told his master. "I was giving your letter to the farmer manager. After the farm manager read the letter, us and the slaves inspected the farm. Suddenly we heard a loud noise. We also felt tremors. Then we saw the mountain and a weird cloud appeared."

"What did you do?" asked Iulius.

"We hurried out of the city because we were very afraid," responded Clemens. "I, after leaving the city, heard another loud noise. Many Pompeians were running through the streets.  The women with their children were hurrying through the city. Sons and daughters were looking for their parents. 

I ran to our house, where Metella and Quintus still remained. Quintus wanted to leave with me, because we all were very scared."

Caecilius hurried to the city because he was worried. Iulius and Clemens also hurried to the city. A huge crowd was gathering in the streets because the Pomepians were leaving their houses. 

Near the city, they saw Holconius. Holconius was with a slave by the harbor.  

"Why are you hurrying out fo the city? Why are you not coming to the harbor?" asked Holconius. 

"I was hurrying to my house," Caecilius responded to Holconius. "Metella and Quintus are there. Have you seen Metella? Have you seen Quintus?"

"Oh dear!" yells Holconius. "I have a splendid house. In the house are beautiful statues and precious pictures. That terrible mountain is going to destroy my house; All my statues with be ruined."

"But, friend, have you seen my wife?" asked Caecilius.

"I have not seen Metella. I don't care," responded Holconius.

"Scoundrel !" yells Caecilius. "You only care about your house. I care about my wife!"

Caecilius, after cursing at Holconius, hurried to the city.

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ad villam (To the House): 

There was a huge panic in the city. Ash was now thick in the air. Flames also were. Caecilius and his friend, after entering the city, headed for the house. But it was hard, because many Pompeians were rushing through the streets. Caecilius, however bravely hurried through the street. 

The clouds were now dense. Suddenly Iulius yelled:

"You hurry to the house! I am not feeling well."

He then fell unconscious in the street. Clemens carried Iulius to the nearest temple. 

"You are doing very well," Caecilius said to the slave. "You must save Iulius. I promise you freedom." 

Then Caecilius exited the temple and rushed to the house. 

Clemens stayed with Iulius in the temple. At last, Iulius recovered. 

"Where am I?" he asked.

"You are safe." the slave responded to Iulius. "The goddess Isis saved us. After you fainted on the ground, I carried you to this temple."

"I am very thankful because you have saved me," responds Iulius. "But where is Caecilius?"

"My master has hurried to the house," responds Clemens.

"Oh dear! Caecilius is very stupid!" yells Iulius. "Without a doubt Metella and Quintus are dead. I want to leave the city as soon as possible. Are you coming to the ships?"

"No, I care!" Clemens responded Iulius. "I am going to wait for my master."

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Finis (The End):

Now the black clouds were coming down to the ground; now the ashes were very thick as they fell. Most of the Pompeians were now running about the city in despair. Many were dying. Clemens, however, wasn't in despair but was hurrying stubbornly to the house, because Caecilius was there. At last, he arrived at the house. He looked worriedly at the ruins. The house was totally destroyed. Clemens also saw smoke.  However, he bravely hurried through the ruins and called for his master. Caecilius, however, did not respond. Suddenly a dog started barking. The slave entered the study, where the dog was. Cerberus was guarding the master.

Caecilius laid dying in the study. The wall had half-collapsed on him. Clemens gave his master some wine. Caecilius, after drinking the wine, slowly recovered.

"What happened, master?" asked Clemens.

"I was coming to the house," said Caecilius. "I did not see Metella. I did not see Quintus! The house was in ruins. Then I hurried to the study. Suddenly the ground started shaking and the wall fell on me. You are a loyal slave. Go away! I order you to. You stop trying to save my life. Metella and Quintus have died. Now I am going to die."

Clemens refused. He stubbornly stayed in the study. Caecilius yelled again:

"Clemens, go away! I order you. Perhaps Quintus has survived. There is Quintus. This ring belongs to Quintus!" 

Caecilius, after giving Clemens the ring, fell dead. Clemens sadly said his farewells to his master and left the house.

Cerberus, however, stayed in the house. The dog fiercely guarded his master. 

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[Sobs]