Anche se sei compaesano di Ponzio e di Tritano [English translation]

1

You have always wanted

to be called a Greek,

even though you are a Roman,

even though you are a Sabine.2

Even though you are a fellow-townsman

of Pontius and Tritanus.

Even though you are a fellow-townsman

of Pontius and Tritanus.

Hence, when I meet you,

if I greet you in Greek,

all the people

tell you «xaire» in Greek.3

Even though you are a fellow-townsman

of Pontius and Tritanus.

Even though you are a fellow-townsman

of Pontius and Tritanus.

This disease of yours

- called xenophilia -

gradually made you

my greatest enemy.

Even though you are a fellow-townsman

of Pontius and Tritanus.

Even though you are a fellow-townsman

of Pontius and Tritanus.

1. This song was inspired by Book III of the Satires by Gaius Lucilius.

This song disapproves of the hellenism that was widespread in Rome at the time, since it was idealistic, while the Romans were more inclined towards concreteness.

Pontius and Tritanus are typical Latin given names, so a fellow-townsman of their was surely a Latin, even if he was a xenophile.2. Sabines3. (ancient Greek) χαῖρε {xaire} = hello, goodbye.