To see the weary oxen drag the inverted plough,
Their necks with languor drooping low !

And at their posts the slaves, the rich man's household-bees,
Around the glitt❜ring Images !'

When thus had spoken Alfius, the millionaire,
Resolved a farm should be his care,

He called in all his money on the Ides, and, when
The Calends came-invests again.

EPODON LIBER.

CARMEN IV

Lupis et agnis quanta sortito optigit,
Tecum mihi discordia est,

Hibericis peruste funibus latus

Et crura dura compede.

Licet superbus ambules pecunia,
Fortuna non mutat genus.
Videsne, sacram metiente te viam

Cum bis trium ulnarum toga,
Ut ora vertat huc et huc euntium

Liberrima indignatio?

'Sectus flagellis hic triumviralibus Praeconis ad fastidium

Arat Falerni mille fundi iugera

Et Appiam mannis terit

EPODE IV.

Not wolf and lamb more disagree
By law of kind, than I with thee :
Thy side with Spanish ropes is scarred,
Thy ancles with the fetter hard;
Though proud of purse along you pace,
Your fortune changes not your race.
See, as you sweep. adown the street
With toga reaching to your feet,
Men turn their faces as they go,

And freely indignation show:

"This fellow the sheriffs had flogged to death, 'Had not the beadle lost his breath,

'A thousand acres farms '-they say—

'His nags, they tramp the Appian way;

Sedilibusque magnus in primis eques
Othone contempto sedet.

Quid attinet tot ora navium gravi
Rostrata duci pondere

Contra latrones atque servilem manum,
Hoc, hoc tribuno militum ?'

And in the foremost rows a knight 'He sits, great man! in Otho's spite! "What boots it launching ships of war Of heavy tonnage by the score "'Gainst slaves and pirates, when withal "A knave like this we tribune call.'