For a friend returning from vacation in Indiana (and getting through war and peace was on the vacation agenda)


Carmen Adventicium amicae suae ab terra Indiana Providentiam reversae

visente Indorum te rura, me(a) _ ^^ _ _*
(bellaque, tu, paces O reditura, leges!)
te apricante procul maribus positis ambobus
litoribus, nante et gurgite dulce lacus
urbe morans quid ego, fortasse roges, navarim?
haec, tacitis aliis, carmina pro reditu.
______
*name has been omitted to preserve addressee's privacy.


Translation:

While you visited the land of Indians, O _____,*
(and do read there of wars and peace-treaties!)
While you sunned yourself on shores set far from both oceans,
and swam in the sweet waters of the lake,
Perhaps you will ask what I accomplished, tarrying here in the city
while you did these things?
This song on the occasion of your return (I pass over the rest in silence).