He to the Gods must sure be dear, Whose daring vessels scatheless brave, The perils of th' Atlantic wave. 20 And cooling herbs, my frugal board. Though small it be, my share of wealth 25 Grant me to enjoy; and, that I may, O Phœbus, add the boon of health; A green old age, with honour bless'd, And of my lyre not dispossess'd. Od. ii. 8. BARINE, did not perj'ries fail To leave on thee one angry trace; If one discolour'd tooth, one nail Less perfect, marr'd thy wondrous grace, 30 Crederem: sed tu, simul obligasti Perfidum votis caput, enitescis Pulchrior multo, juvenumque prodis Publica cura. Expedit matris cineres opertos 5 Fallere, et toto taciturna noctis 10 Signa cum cœlo, gelidaque divos Morte carentes. Ridet hoc, inquam, Venus ipsa, rident Simplices Nymphæ, ferus et Cupido Semper ardentes acuens sagittas Cote cruenta. Adde quod pubes tibi crescit omnis; Impiæ tectum dominæ relinquunt, Te suis matres metuunt juvencis, Aura maritos. 15 20 I might believe; but with each vow T'invoke, with false and perjur'd breath, The Gods above who know not death. Laughs at such fraud the Cyprian Queen; Sharpens on whetstone stain'd with blood. The rising race thy fetters wear; Fresh bands of slaves embrace their chain; And, though their bonds they oft forswear, Thee for their sons grave matrons shun, 5 10 15 20 Od. ii. 10. RECTIUS Vives, Licini, neque altum Semper urguendo; neque, dum procellas Littus iniquum. Auream quisquis mediocritatem 5 Diligit, tutus caret obsoleti Sordibus tecti, caret invidenda Sæpius ventis agitatur ingens Pinus; et celsæ graviore casu Decidunt turres; feriuntque summos Fulgura montes. Sperat infestis, metuit secundis Alteram sortem bene præparatum Pectus. 10 Informes hiemes reducit 15 Od. ii. 10. WOULDST thou, Licinius, safely steer, Who loves of life the golden mean, And turmoils, that too oft are seen The giant pine-trees most invite 5 The stormy winds; with heaviest crash 10 Fall proudest tow'rs; the mountain height The first attracts the lightning's flash. The balanc'd mind, in weal or woe Alike for fortune's change prepares; And he, who sends the winter's snow, 15 |