Poems on Several Occasions With Anne Boleyn to King Henry VIII. An Epistle. By Mrs. Elizabeth Tollet. The Second Edition |
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Imitation of Horace, Lib. IV. Ode 7.
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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Imitation of Horace, Lib. IV. Ode 7.
Diffugere Nives ------
I.
The Snows are gone: Again the Ground,Again the Trees with chearful Green are crown'd;
Again their ancient Banks decreasing Rivers bound.
The Nymphs who haunt the lofty Woods,
Or bath themselves in murm'ring Floods,
In Dances with the Graces join:
Nor do the naked Graces fear,
To tempt the Rigour of the Air.
All Nature does in this great Truth combine,
Enjoy the present Hour, for that alone is thine.
II.
The circling Seasons of the YearA fix'd Succession know.
The Winter does to Spring give Way,
Nor long delightful Spring can stay;
And fruitful Summer does decay:
Next, bounteous Autumn does his Wealth bestow,
Last, Winter crown'd with Snow,
Returns unwelcome and severe.
The waning Moons their lessen'd Horns restore:
But Man once disappears, and comes no more.
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One Moment add to his determin'd Years?
Cou'd Strength preserve unconquer'd Tullus' Breath?
Cou'd wealthy Ancus bribe impartial Death?
Who now in dull Obscurity is laid,
Or mould'ring Ashes, or a wand'ring Shade.
III.
To-morrow you expect in vain,And thence wou'd future Pleasures date:
Who knows, my Friend! if there remain
To-morrow in the Stores of Fate?
What on yourself you do bestow,
You from your greedy Heir will save:
This melancholy Truth too soon you'll know,
That not your Wit, nor noble Race,
Nor Piety, nor winning Grace,
Will e're retrieve you from the Grave.
Nor thee, Hippolytus! Diana's Care
Cou'd e're restore to breath celestial Air:
And Theseus' Strength was try'd in vain
To break Perithous' adamantine Chain.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |