1. Occasion of the Poem: The ode seems to have been prompted by the longing of the people for the return of Augustus from his northern campaign (16-13 B.C.); see Introd. to Ode II.

2. Outline of the Poem:

a) Return to thy people, O guardian of the race of Romulus, for whom we yearn as a mother for her son long absent across the sea, 1-16;

b) Under thy benign sway, fertility, peace, uprightness, chastity reign everywhere; yea, we even entreat thy name in prayer and beg the gods that long thou mayest live to bless Hesperia 17-40.

3. Time: 13 B.C.

4. Metre: Third Asclepiadean. Introd. § 47.

Divis orte bonis, optume Romulae
Custos gentis, abes iam nimium diu;
Maturum reditum pollicitus patrum
Sancto concilio redi.

Quis Parthum paveat, quis gelidum Scythen,
Quis Germania quos horrida parturit

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Fetus, incolumi Caesare? quis ferae

Bellum curet Hiberiae ?

Condit quisque diem collibus in suis,
Et vitem viduas ducit ad arbores;
Hinc ad vina redit laetus et alteris
Te mensis adhibet deum;

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1. Occasion of the Poem: In the year 17 B.C. Augustus commissioned Horace to write the Carmen Saeculare, a hymn to be sung at the Saecular festival occurring that year. The present ode is an invocation to Apollo, begging help and inspiration for that important task. 2. Outline of the Poem:

a) O mighty god, punisher of proud Niobe and Tityos, director of the hand that laid Achilles low, master of the lyre, lend thy inspiration to my humble song, 1-28;

b) O boys and maidens, keep the time of my Lesbian measure, as ye hymn the praises of Latona's children. In after years the memory of this day may mean no little glory, 29–44.

3. Time: 17 B.C.

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

Dive, quem proles Niobea magnae
Vindicem linguae Tityosque raptor
Sensit et Troiae prope victor altae
Phthius Achilles,

Ceteris maior, tibi miles impar,
Filius quamvis Thetidis marinae
Dardanas turris quateret tremenda
Cuspide pugnax.

Ille, mordaci velut icta ferro
Pinus aut impulsa cupressus Euro,
Procidit late posuitque collum in
Pulvere Teucro.

Ille non inclusus equo Minervae

Sacra mentito male feriatos
Troas et laetam Priami choreis
Falleret aulam;

Sed palam captis gravis, heu nefas, heu,
Nescios fari pueros Achivis

Ureret flammis, etiam latentem

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15

Matris in alvo,

Ni tuis victus Venerisque gratae

Vocibus divom pater adnuisset

Rebus Aeneae potiore ductos

Alite muros.

Doctor argutae fidicen Thaliae,

Phoebe, qui Xantho lavis amne crinis,
Dauniae defende decus Camenae,

Levis Agyieu.

Spiritum Phoebus mihi, Phoebus artem
Carminis nomenque dedit poetae.

Virginum primae puerique claris

a) The snows have sped, Nature again clothes herself in living green, and Nymphs and Graces lead again the dancing bands, 1-6;

b) The changing seasons bid us reflect how brief is our earthly

life, 7-18;

c) Lay not up treasure for some eager heir! Enjoy rather thy present stores! Death's fetters know no loosing, 19-28.

2. Time: Uncertain; between 23 and 13 B.C.

3. Metre First Archilochian. Introd. § 55.

Diffugere nives, redeunt iam gramina campis

Arboribusque comae ;

Mutat terra vices et decrescentia ripas

Flumina praetereunt;

Gratia cum Nymphis geminisque sororibus audet

Ducere nuda choros.

Immortalia ne speres, monet annus et almum
Quae rapit hora diem.

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