* and the comely graces, in conjunction with the nymphs, shake the ground with alternate feet; while ardent Vulcan inflames the laborious forges of the Cyclops. Now it is fitting to encircle the shining head either with verdant myrtle, or with such flowers as the relaxed earth produces. Now likewise it is fitting to sacrifice to Faunus in the shady groves, whether he demand a lamb, or is more pleased with a kid. Pale death knocks at the cottages of the poor and the palaces of kings with an impartial pace. O happy Sestius, the short sumtotal of life forbids us to form remote expectations. Presently shall darkness, and the ghosts so much talked of, and the shadowy mansion of Pluto, oppress you; where, when you shall once arrive, you shall neither decide the dominion of the bottlef by dice, nor shall you admire the tender Lycidas, with whom now all the youth is inflamed, and for whom, ere long, the ladies will grow warm. ODE V. TO PYRRHA, They are miserable who are captivated by her charms: as for his own part, he has escaped from them, as from a shipwreck. WHAT dainty youth, bedewed with liquid perfumes, caresses you, Pyrrha, in some pleasant grotto, 'midst a profusion of roses? For whom do desu fillet up your golden hair, unaffectedly deli ΤΟ he* The samé as nitidi capilli, shining hair, Epis. I. 14. 32. The Romans used to cast lots who should be toast master. Simplex munditiis? Heu! quoties fidem, Emirabitur insolens, Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aureâ; Qui semper vacuam, semper amabilem Fallacis! Miseri, quibus Intentata nites. Me tabulâ sacer Votivâ paries indicat uvida Suspendisse potenti Vestimenta maris Deo. 5 10 15 CARMEN VI. AD AGRIPPAM. Se jocosis versibus natum, bellicis virtutibus celebrandis minime parem esse. SCRIBERIS Vario fortis, et hostium Victor, Mæonii carminis alite * Quam rem cunque ferox, navibus aut equis, Nos, Agrippa, neque hæc dicere, nec gravem 5 Nec cursus duplicis † per mare Ulysseï, *Emulo. Atterbury et Jones, aliti. Baxt. alteri. Markland + Duplices. al. cate? Alas! how frequently shall he deplore your perfidy and the altered Gods; and, through inexperience, be amazed at the seas, rough with blackening storms, who now, credulous, enjoys you all-precious; who hopes you will be always disengaged, always amiable, ignorant of the faithless gale! Wretched are those to whom you untried seem fair! The sacred wall of Neptune's temple demonstrates, by a votive tablet, that I have.consecrated dropping garments to the powerful God. of the sea. ODE VI. TO AGRIPPA. Horace's genius is fitter for amorous subjects, than to celebrate the exploits of heroes. YOU shall be described by Varius, with all the flight of the Mæonian verse, as brave and a subduer of your enemies, whatever achievements your fierce soldiery shall have accomplished, under your command, either a shipboard, or on horseback. We humble writers, O Agrippa, neither undertake these high subjects, nor the destructive wrath of inexorable Achilles, nor the voyages of the crafty Ulysses, nor the cruel house of Pelops: while diffidence, and the Muse who presides over the peaceful lyre, forbids me Laudes egregii Cæsaris, et tuas, Quis Martem tunicâ tectum adamantinâ 15 20 CARMEN VII. AD MUNATIUM PLANCUM. Tiburtini secessus amenitatem describit. Proposito Teucri exemplo hortatur ut vino curas eluat. LAUDABUNT alii claram Rhodon, aut Mityle nen, Aut Ephesum, bimarisve Corinthi Moenia, vel Baccho Thebas, vel Apolline Delphos Insignes, aut Thessala Tempe. Sunt, quibus unum opus est, intactæ Palladis urbem * Carmine perpetuo celebrare, et Undique decerpta frondi † præponere olivam. Aptum dicit equis Argos, ditesque Mycenas. 5 * Arces. Bentl. 10. † Decerptam fronti. al to diminish the praises of illustrious Cæsar, and yours, through defect of genius. Who with sufficient dignity will ever describe Mars covered with his adamantine coát of mail, or Meriones embrowned with Trojan dust, or the son of Tydeus,* a match for the Gods by the favour of Pallas ? We, whether free, whether enamoured ourselves, with our accustomed levity, sing of banquets; we of the battles of maids, desperate against young fellows-with pared nails. ODE VII. TO MUNATIUS PLANCUS. The He describes the pleasant retreat of Tibur. poet advises him to drive away care with wine, after the example of Teucer. OTHER poets shall celebrate the famous Rhodes, or Mitylene, or Ephesus, or the walls of Corinth situated between two seas, or Thebes, illustrious by the birth of Bacchus, or Delphi, by Apollo's Oracle, or the Thessalian Tempe. There are some whose sole employment is to chant in endless verse the city of the spotless virgin goddess Pallas, and to prefer the olive † to every other leaf that is gathered. Many a one, in honour of Juno, celebrates Argos, productive of generous horses, and rich Mycena. Neither patient Lacedæmon so much struck me (or my fancy,) neither • Diomede. VOL. I. с The favourite tree of Pallas. |