ODE XI.

AD PHYLLIDEM.

Die natali Mæcenatis invitat eam ad convivium.

EST mihi nonum superantis annum
Plenus Albani cadus; est in horto,
Phylli, nectendis apium coronis :

Est hederæ vis

Multa, quâ crines religata fulges;
Ridet argento domus : ara castis
Vincta verbenis avet immolato

Spargier agno.

Cuncta festinat manus: huc et illuc
Cursitant mistæ pueris puellæ :
Sordidum flammæ trepidant rotantes
Vertice fumum.

Ut tamen noris, quibus advoceris
Gaudiis Idus tibi sunt agendæ ;
Qui dies mensem Veneris marinæ

Findit Aprilem :

Jure solemnis mihi, sanctiorque

Pænè natali proprio, quòd ex hac

ODE XI.

TO PHYLLIS.

PHYLLIS! a cask of Alban wine,

Stored up-nine years-in vaults of mine,

Invites you;-come, and intertwine

Sweet parsley-plaits ;

My garden teems with ivy green,
Which well becomes your hair, I ween;
Rich plate within my house is seen,

The altar waits :

All hands are busy, 'neath my eye,—
On every side my servants ply;

The quivering flames uprise on high

Capt with dark smoke.

Come you to celebrate the Ides,

When sea-born Venus' month1 divides;

Come on that day, whate'er betides,

The gods t' invoke:

The day on which you thus are beckon'd,

To my own birth-day is not second;

1 April.

Luce Mæcenas meus affluentes

Ordinat annos.

Telephum, quem tu petis, occupavit (Non tuæ sortis juvenem) puella Dives et lasciva, tenetque gratâ

Compede vinctum.

Terret ambustus Phaeton avaras

Spes; et exemplum grave præbet ales Pegasus, terrenum equitem gravatus Bellerophontem,

Semper ut te digna sequare: et ultra Quàm licet sperare, nefas putando, Disparem vites. Age jam, meorum Finis amorum ;

(Non enim posthac aliâ calebo

Fœminâ) condisce modos, amandâ

Voce quos reddas.

Minuentur atræ

Carmine curæ.

For from that day Mæcenas reckon'd

His flowing years.

Your Telephus is lost to you,

(He was, indeed, above your view,)— Caught by rich flame, whose fetters new He, love-sick, wears.

Lo! Phaeton destroy'd by flame,—
So ends in smoke Ambition's fame!
Bellerophon was taught the same

By winged horse 1;

Namely, that you should, aye, pursue
Things which are suitable to you;

Beyond your reach ne'er lift your view,— 'Tis out of course.

Come, therefore, last of all my loves!-
(Henceforth my heart no other moves!)
Come, let your voice, 'mid fragrant groves,
Display sweet force.

1 Pegasus.