Before the Festival
The Grain of Ceres
But as soon as the floral wreaths are untied from the long-eared donkeys,
(adorned for Vesta's festival of the day before),
and the rough millstones turn once more to grind the grain of Ceres,
(to be made into offering cakes for tomorrow's festival)
A sailor, resting at the stern, calls out: "We shall behold the Dolphin,"
(constellation rising in the evening sky),
"when dewy night ascends to drive away the day."
The Original Latin Text (Ovid, Fasti VI.468–471)
At simul auritis violae demuntur asellis,
et Cereris fruges aspera saxa terunt,
navita puppe sedens 'Delphina videbimus', inquit
'umida cum pulso nox erit orta die.
Book 6 of Ovid's Fasti (lines 468–471) on the eve of the Festival of Fortuna Virginalis (June 10).
Translated & curated by E. Sylvia in collaboration with AI: original poetic interpretations of selections from Ovid's Fasti.
© 2026 E. Sylvia. All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the author.