Ō quī flōsculus es Iuventiōrum,
nōn hōrum modo, sed quot aut fuērunt
aut posthāc aliīs erunt in annīs,
māllem dīvitiās Midae dedissēs
istī, cui neque servus est neque arca, 5
quam sīc tē sinerēs ab illō amārī.
‘Quī? nōn est homo bellus?' inquiēs. Est:
sed bellō huic neque servus est neque arca.
Hoc tū quam lubet ābice ēlevāque:
nec servum tamen ille habet neque arcam. 10
vocabulary
ō: interjection, expressing grief, pleasure, indignation, or adjuration
flosculus –ī m.: flower; youthful beauty; the finest specimen of a type or class (dim. of flos)
Iuventius –iī m.: Juventius, a Roman nomen gentile
quot: indecl. adj., how many, as many
posthāc: hereafter
Midas (Mida) –ae m.: legendary king of Phrygia, possessor of the golden touch
arca arcae f.: chest, coffer; money 5
bellus –a –um: pretty, nice, fine, charming
quīlibet quaelibet quodlibet (or quīlubet, etc.): whoever or whatever you please; anyone, anything
abiciō abicere abiēcī abiectum: throw away, cast off; dismiss, belittle, minimize
ēlevō –āre –āvī –ātum: raise; diminish, make light of