Quamvis non alius flectere equum fciens Prima nocte domum claude: neque in vias Sub cantu querulae défpice tibiae: Et te faepe vocanti Duram, difficilis mane. CARMEN VIII. AD MECENATEM. 25 30 Invitat Mæçenatem ad feftum domifticum genialiter celebrandum. MARTIIS coelebs quid agam Calendis, Quid velint flores, et acerra thuris Docte [a] fermones utriufque linguae Hic dies, anno redeunte, feftus Sume, Macenas, cyathos amici [a] Doce fermonis utriufque. 10 Profer Enipeus prove too pleafing. Though no other perfon equally skilful to guide the fteed is confpicuous in the course, nor does any one with equal fwiftnefs fwim down the Etrurian ftream, yet secure your houfe at the very approach of night, nor look down into the streets at the found of the doleful pipe; and still remain inflexible, however upbraided with insensibility. ODE VIII. To MECENAS. He invites Mecenas to a domeftic entertainment, which he was refolved to celebrate joyously. Mæcenas, learned in both* languages, you wonder what I, who am a fingle man, have to do on the calends † of March; what thefe flowers mean, and the cenfer replete with frankincenfe, and the coals laid upon the live turf. 1 made a vow of a joyous banquet and a white goat to Bacchus, after having been at the point of death by a blow from a tree. This day, facred in the revolving year, fhall remove the cork fastened with pitch from that jar, which was § fet to fumigate in the confulfhip of Tullus. Take, my Mæcenas, a hundred glaffes on account of the fafety of your friend, * Greek and Latin. † A festival particularly celebrated by married people. See ODE XIII. BOOK II. §The Romans ufed to ripen or mellow their wine by fumigation. Profer in lucem: procul omnis efto Mitte civiles fuper Urbe curas: Diffidet armis : Servit Hifpanae vetus hoftis orae Negligens, ne qua populus laboret, CARMEN IX. AD LYDIA M. Dialogues HORATII & LYDIAE: HORATIUS. DONEC gratus eram tibi. Nec quifquam potior brachia candidae Cervici juven's dabat ; Perfarum vigui rege beatior. LYDIA. Donec non [c] alia magis Arfifti, neque erat Lydia poft Chloen; Multi Lydia nominis Romana vigui clarior Ilia. [a] Infeftis fibi luctuofus. HEINS. [b] Cape laetus horae. [c] Non aliam magis. 15 20 25 i HORA friend, and continue the wakeful lamps even to day-light all clamour and paffion be far away. Poftpone your political cares with regard to the ftate: the army of the Dacian Cotifon is defeated: the troublesome Mede is quarrelling with himself in a horrible civil war. The Cantabrian, our old enemy on the Spanish coaft, is fubject to us, though conquered by a long-difputed victory. Now too the Scythians are preparing to quit the field with their unbent bows. Neglectful as a private person, forbear to be too folicitous, left the community in any wife suffer, and joyfully seize the boons of the present hour, and quit ferious affairs. ODE IX. To LYDI A. A Dialogue between HORACE and Lydia. S As long as I was agreeable to you, nor did any other youth more acceptable fold his arms over your fnowy neck, I flourished more blest than the Perfian monarch. LYDIA. As long as you had not a greater flame for any other, nor was Lydia below Chloe in your affections, I, Lydia, of diftinguished fame, flourished more eminent than the Roman Ilia.* K The mother of Romulus. HORACE HORATIUS. Me nunc Threffa Chloe regit, Dulces docta modos, et citharae fciens: Pro qua non metuam mori, Si parcent animae fata fuperftiti. Me torret face mutua LYDIA. Thurini Calais filius Ornithi: Pro quo bis patiar mori, Si parcent pucro fata fuperftiti. HORATIUS. Quid fi prifca redit Venus, Diductofque jugo cogit aheneo? Si Hava excutitur Chloe, Rejectaeque patet janua Lydiaè? LYDIA. Quanquam fidere pulchrior, Ille eft; tu levior cortice, et improbo Iracundior Adria: Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens. 10 15 23. CARMEN |