Ad Pisces

Dixi piscibus: “Aspere negatis
amico mihimet viro favorem.
Cur hoc? Commodior lacu domus mi
est et in tepidissima culina
quo loco usque focus calet salutans.
Sic gaudebitis hospites apud me.”
Ex undis modo bullulas videbam;
infelix abii domum precator,
piscator sed ineptior videbar.
Nunc cervum solitum petam vel aprum;
illis hospitium dabo benignum
et utcumque potest sedes honoris.

Translation
I said to the fish: “You harshly refuse me, though a friend, a favor. Why do you do this? I have a home more comfortable than your lake and in my very warm kitchen a welcoming hearth burns. Thus, you will be happy being guests at my house.” I just saw a few bubbles from the water; unlucky in my request I went home, but I seemed to be a rather inept fisherman. Now I will hunt my accustomed deer or boar; I will give them a kindly welcome and seats of honor however one can.