The Festival of Fors Fortuna on the Tiber River
I. The Passage of Time & The Festival Day
Time glides softly away, and we grow old in quiet, passing years;
the days flee onward, with nothing to restrain them.
How swiftly the sacred honors of Fors Fortuna have arrived!
After seven more suns, June will have run its full course.
II. The Pilgrimage to the River
Go forth with glad hearts, people, and celebrate the Mighty Goddess:
upon the banks of the Tiber, She holds the monuments of a King.
III. Joyful Revels and Flower-Adorned Boats
Some walk quickly, while others travel in swift boats—
there is no shame in returning home after drinking there!
Carry your flower-crowned banquets of youth, ye skiffs,
and let abundant wine be drunk across the flowing waters.
IV. The Goddess of the People
The common folk adore Her, for the founder was believed to be a commoner
who rose from his humble origins to bear the royal scepter.
Her rites belong to the servant as well, for Tullius, born of a servant woman,
established these nearby temples dedicated to the Goddess Who Changes Fate.
The Original Latin Text (Ovid, Fasti VI.771–784)
I. (Ovid, Fasti VI. 771–774)
Tempora labuntur, tacitisque senescimus annis,
et fugiunt freno non remorante dies.
Quam cito venerunt Fortunae Fortis honores!
post septem luces Iunius actus erit.
II. (Ovid, Fasti VI. 775–776)
Ite, deam laeti Fortem celebrate, Quirites:
in Tiberis ripa munera regis habet.
III. (Ovid, Fasti VI. 777–780)
Pars pede, pars etiam celeri decurrite cumba,
nec pudeat potos inde redire domum.
Ferte coronatae iuvenum convivia, lintres,
multaque per medias vina bibantur aquas.
IV. (Ovid, Fasti VI. 781–784)
Plebs colit hanc, quia qui posuit de plebe fuisse
fertur, et ex humili sceptra tulisse loco.
Convenit et servis, serva quia Tullius ortus
constituit dubiae templa propinqua deae.
Book 6 of Ovid's Fasti (lines 771–784) on the day of the Festival of Fors Fortuna (June 24).
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.