Noxious days of dog-star flagrant Mid noble fountains, moreover, Shalt thou rank, now that I the holm sing Written on the return of Augustus after closing the Cantabrian War. His return had been delayed by illness at Terracina. CAESAR, of late declared by you, O people, Hercules-like to be in quest of laurels Sold at death's price, comes from the Spanish seaboard Homeward, victorious. Let the wife, then, to him alone devoted, Forth come, our just gods' ritual observing, And the great general's sister; and, adorned with Mothers of virgins, and of youths in safety Words of ill omen. Te flagrantis atrox hora Caniculae Nescit tangere: tu frigus amabile Fessis vomere tauris Praebes, et pecori vago. Fies nobilium tu quoque fontium, Me dicente cavis impositam ilicem Saxis unde loquaces Lymphae desiliunt tuae. XIV. AD ROMANOS. HERCULIS ritu modo dictus, o plebs, Caesar Hispana repetit penates Unico gaudens mulier marito, Virginum matres, juvenumque nuper Sospitum vos o pueri, et puellae Jam virum expertae, male ominatis Parcite verbis. This, to myself true festal day, shall banish Go, boy, and seek for perfumes and for garlands, Bid, too, melodious Neaera hasten In a neat knot to bind her auburn tresses: Whitening hairs the froward temper soften, Horace here appears in one of his least creditable moods, though one in which he was rather fond of indulging. WIFE, you, of needy Ibycus, To your iniquities and habits infamous Put now at length a tardy end. Since into timely grave full soon you must descend, Hic dies vere mihi festus atras I pete unguentum, puer, et coronas, Et cadum Marsi memorem duelli; Spartacum si qua potuit vagantem Fallere testa. Dic et argutae properet Neaerae Lenit albescens animos capillus Non ego hoc ferrem, calidus juventa, XV. AD CHLORIM. UXOR pauperis Ibyci, Tandem nequitiae fige modum tuae Famosisque laboribus: Maturo propior desine funeri Cease sporting among girls, nor shroud The stars' white brilliancy with intermingled cloud; Not what accords with Pholoë quite, Suits, Chloris, likewise you: your daughter, more of right, Takes by assault the young men's home Like Bacchanalian aroused by beaten drum. The love of Nothus makes of her To wanton female goat a rival caperer. You, wool to spin, old lady, suits, Shorn on Luceria's famed pasture ground: not lutes, Not blooms that damask rose-bush prank, Not jars of liquor down to dregs residual drank. The poet here dwells upon his favourite theme, contentment and moderation, which he is able to illustrate by the example of Maecenas as well as his own. A BRAZEN tower, oak doors, and sentinel Hiding his child, Venus and Jove not laughed, |