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 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 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. |