The Works of Horace In English Verse By several hands. Collected and Published By Mr. Duncombe. With Notes Historical and Critical |
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 | The Works of Horace In English Verse |  |
294
ODE IX. A Dialogue between Horace and Lydia.
By Francis, Lord Bishop of Rochester.
Horace.
Whilst I was fond, and You were kind,
Nor any dearer Youth, reclin'd
On your soft Bosom, sought to rest,
Not Persia's Monarch was so blest.
Lydia.
Whilst You ador'd no other Face,
Nor lov'd me in the second Place,
Your Lydia's celebrated Fame
Outshone the Roman Ilia's Name.
Horace.
Me, Chloë now possesses whole;
Her Voice and Lyre command my Soul:
Nor would I Death itself decline,
Could I redeem her Life with mine.
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For Me young lovely Calaïs burns,
And Warmth for Warmth my Heart returns.
Twice would I Life for Him resign,
Could his be ransom'd thus with mine.
Horace.
What if the God, whose Bands we broke,
Again should tame us to the Yoke;
What if my Chloë cease to reign,
And Lydia her lost Power regain!
Lydia.
Tho' Phosphor be less fair than He;
Thou wilder than the raging Sea;
Lighter than Down; yet gladly I
With Thee would live, with Thee would die.
| The Works of Horace In English Verse | |