XXX.

THE POET'S IMMORTAL FAME.

1. Outline of the Poem:

a) These lays, I ween, will be a loftier monument than brazen tablets or the pyramids' royal pile, indestructible by storm or time, 1-5;

b) I shall not die, but, while great Rome endures, my fame shall be imperishable, 6-14;

c) Accept, O Muse, the tribute richly earned, and crown my locks with Apollo's bays, 14-16.

2. Time: 23 B.C.

3. Metre First Asclepiadean. Introd. § 45.

Exegi monumentum aere perennius
Regalique situ pyramidum altius,
Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens
Possit diruere aut innumerabilis
Annorum series et fuga temporum.
Non omnis moriar multaque pars mei
Vitabit Libitinam: usque ego postera
Crescam laude recens. Dum Capitolium
Scandet cum tacita virgine pontifex,
Dicar, qua violens obstrepit Aufidus
Et qua pauper aquae Daunus agrestium
Regnavit populorum, ex humili potens
Princeps Aeolium carmen ad Italos
Deduxisse modos. Sume superbiam

5

10

Quaesitam meritis et mihi Delphica

15

Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comam.

CARMINUM

LIBER QUARTUS.

I.

VENUS, FORBEAR!

1. Outline of the Poem:

a) Cease, O goddess, to lure me again into the snares of passion!

1-7;

b) Seek the hearts of younger men! Paulus is meet to be thy standard-bearer. Flushed with triumph in thy cause, he shall build thee a glorious temple near the Alban Lake, where lads and maidens shall duly praise thy power with song and sacrifice, 8-28;

c) Me, neither maid nor boy nor wine nor garland longer delights, barring, my Ligurinus, one final pang for thee, 29-40.

2. Time: About 13 B. C.

3. Metre Second Asclepiadean. Introd. § 46.

Intermissa, Venus, diu

Rursus bella moves. Parce, precor, precor.

Non sum qualis eram bonae

Sub regno Cinarae. Desine, dulcium

Mater saeva Cupidinum,

Circa lustra decem flectere mollibus

Iam durum imperiis: abi,

Quo blandae iuvenum te revocant preces.

5

Nocturnis ego somniis

Iam captum teneo, iam volucrem sequor
Te per gramina Martii

Campi, te per aquas, dure, volubilis.

40

II.

THOU, NOT I, ANTONIUS, SHOULDST SING GREAT CAESAR'S PRAISE.

1. Occasion of the Poem: In the year 16 B.C. the Sygambrians and other German tribes had crossed the Rhine and created consternation by a formidable invasion of Gaul. Augustus repaired to the scene of disturbance, and remained there for the next three years, until the subjugation of the invaders was complete. In anticipation of his return, Julus Antonius (son of Mark Antony, and step-son of Octavia, the sister of Augustus) calls upon Horace to compose a triumphal ode. Horace declines the task in favor of Antonius, who was not merely a poet of merit, but also a special favorite of the Emperor.

2. Outline of the Poem:

a) Hazardous were the attempt to rival mighty Pindar in dithyramb, in ode, in hymn, or mournful elegy, 1–27;

b) Far less ambitious must be the efforts of my humble Muse, 27-32;

c) Thine be the task, Antonius, to sing the triumphs of glorious Caesar, than whom the gods have given to earth no greater blessing, 33-44;

d) To thy loftier song, some simple lay I then may add, and join thee with my humble sacrifice, 45-60.

3. Time: 13 B.C.

4. Metre Sapphic and Adonic. Introd. § 44.