THE IDES OF MARCH

Beware of grandeur, oh soul.

And if you can not overcome your ambitions,

pursue them with hesitant precaution.

And the more you go forward, the more

inquiring and careful you must be.

And when you reach your zenith, as a Caesar at last;

when you take on the role of such a famous man,

then most of all be careful when you go out on the street,

like any famous master with your entourage,

if by chance some Artemidoros approaches

out of the crowd, bringing you a letter,

and says in a hurry “Read this at once,

these are serious matters that concern you,”

don’t fail to stop; don’t fail to postpone

every speech or task; don’t fail to turn away

the various people who greet you and bow to you

(you can see them later); let even the Senate wait,

for you must consider at once

the serious writings of Artemidoros.