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The works of Horace, translated into verse

With a prose interpretation, for the help of students. And occasional notes. By Christopher Smart ... In four volumes

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ODE IV. TO THE CITY OF ROME, CONCERNING THE GENIUS OF DRUSUS, AND HIS EDUCATION UNDER AUGUSTUS.
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85

ODE IV. TO THE CITY OF ROME, CONCERNING THE GENIUS OF DRUSUS, AND HIS EDUCATION UNDER AUGUSTUS.

As him, by mighty Jove preferr'd
On high his thunder-bolts to bear,
Deem'd o'er the winged race the sovereign bird,
E'er since he made sweet youth, and innocence his care;
Of old, green years, but strength innate,
Drove him, unskill'd, upon his prey,
And vernal winds, the winter out of date,
Taught him unwonted flights, but not without dismay,
Anon, by vivid impulse sped,
He wages war against the folds,
And by his lust of fight and plunder led,
The curv'd-reluctant snakes within his claws he holds.
Or as a goat in pastures green
Intent, a lion's tawny whelp
(Whom his fierce mother did but lately wean)
Eyes rushing with new fangs, and has no hope of help.

87

Such warrior Drusus in his bloom
The Rhœtian and North-Alpine band
Beheld (which latter whence they did assume
With Amanzonian ax long since to arm their hand,
I have omitted to declare,
Nor can we every matter know)
But far and wide victorious as they were,
The young man's wondrous conduct taught them at a blow,
How a well-bent ingenuous mind,
And genius disciplin'd can awe,
Whose plan was in a happy school design'd
By Cæsar, more than father to his sons-in-law.
The brave are gender'd by the brave,
This truth ev'n genuine steers attest,
The manag'd steeds by progeny behave,
Nor are tame turtles hatch'd in yon fierce eagle's nest.
Yet learning inward strength assists,
And education mans the heart;
Refinement by morality exists,
Or else good-nature fails for want of wholesome art.

89

What to the Neroes Rome should pay,
The loud Metaurus witness bears,
And vanquish'd Asdrubal—and that fair day
Which clear'd the low'ring gloom from our distress'd affairs.
That day, which many a prize renowns,
First mention'd victory to gain,
When Hannibal fled thro' th'Italian towns,
Like wind that sweeps the sea, or fire that takes the train.
From this desirable event
The Roman enterprizes throve,
And ravag'd, where the Punic plund'rers went,
The temples stood repair'd in every sacred grove;
Until the traitor said at last,
“Like stags, of rav'nous wolves the prey,
“We follow those heroic bands too fast,
“Of whom by craft and flight we solely win the day.
“The nation, which from Troy on fire,
“Held sacred from their numerous woes,
“Brought through the Tuscan seas the son and sire,
“In fair Ausonia's towns from shipwreck to repose,

91

“As from the ax the hardy oak,
“Which in dark Algidus abounds,
“Tho' hurt and damag'd by the frequent stroke,
“Thrives, and exalts his head, aspiring by its wounds:
“Not more increase did Hydra, maim'd,
“Against griev'd Hercules assume,
“Nor was or Thebes, nor was ev'n Colchis, fam'd
“For prodigies, more great, more wonderful than Rome.
“Sunk to the center, they will rise
“More fair, and woe to him that strives;
“From vet'ran victors they will win the prize,
“And send the gallant tale to entertain their wives.
“No more my proud couriers I send
“To Carthage fall'n, ah fall'n! and fled
“Is all our hope; nor fortune is our friend
“(Though once she lov'd our name) now Asdrubal is dead.”
Nothing so glorious in the field,
But Claudius will with ease atchieve;
Whom Jove defends, with prudence for his shield,
Thro' intricate distress and war his way to cleave.