Sunday, March 11, 2012

Productus testis...

Here is today's distich by Cato (so-called), 3.3, with English translations by Duff and Chase.

Productus testis, salvo tamen ante pudore,
Quantumcumque potes, celato crimen amici.



When as a witness thou must needs appear,
Favor thy friend, but keep thy good name clear.
(Chase)

If called to witness, hide as best you can
A friend's misdeeds, but be an honest man.
(Duff)

The vocabulary is keyed to the DCC Latin Vocabulary list. There are three words which are not on the DCC list:

cēlo, -āre - hide, conceal, keep secret
prōdūco -ere, prōdūxī, prōductum - bring out, produce, reveal
quantuscumque - how great soever, whatever size, however much

amīcus -a -um: friendly; (as subst.) friend
ante: before, in front of (adv. and prep. + acc.)
crīmen -inis n.: verdict, accusation
possum posse potuī: be able
pudor pudōris m.: sense of shame, modesty, propriety
salvus -a -um: healthy, uninjured, safe
tamen: nevertheless, still
testis -is m.: witness