The Roots of Arcovazzi’s Ego

Non horti neque palmitis beati, sed rari nemoris, Priape, custos, ex quo natus es et potes renasci, furaces, moneo, manus repellas et silvam domini focis reserves: si defecerit haec, et ipse lignum es. No garden, Priapus, your ward, Nor blest vineyard, but scantling copse Whence wast hewn and could be re-hewn. Take then your charge: “Repel thieves’ fists, For firewood keep your Master’s wood, Or your wood firewood too shall be”. Priapo che non Orto, o Vigna grande, ma picciol bosco guardi, e poco folto, da qual sei nato, e puoi nascer di nuovo; Priapo, dico a te, cacciane i ladri, e al fuoco del padron serba le legna; perché se mancheran, tu legno sei.

Martial, Epigrams, Book 8, XL
English translation by Peter Whigham
Italian translation by François-Séraphin Régnier-Desmarais

A demonstrator takes part in a protest in favour of the reduction of the impact of plastic products on the environment, in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Photo: Reuters/Vincent Kessler.