Firmanus saltu non falso Mentula dives
fertur, qui tot res in se habet egregias,
aucupium omne genus, piscis, prata, arua ferasque.
nequiquam: fructus sumptibus exsuperat.
quare concedo sit diues, dum omnia desint.
saltum laudemus, dum modo ipse egeat.

They say, no lie, that Mentula the Cock is rich
with the pastures of Firmum, full of good things,
fowling of every kind, fish, meadows, fields and game.
In vain: his income’s surpassed by his costs.
So, I concede he’s rich, while everything’s lacking.
lets praise the pastures, so long as he’s in want.