 | The odes, epodes and Carmen Seculare of Horace (1719) |  |
ODE IX. To Lollius.
The Songs which to the Roman Lyre,
Whilst Aufidus ran list'ning by,
I tun'd, inspir'd with Sacred Fire,
Believe me, Friend! shall never die.
Whilst Aufidus ran list'ning by,
I tun'd, inspir'd with Sacred Fire,
Believe me, Friend! shall never die.
Though Homer claims the highest Place,
Yet Laurel springs on Pindar's Head.
The World admires Alcæus' Lays,
And grave Stesichorus is read.
Yet Laurel springs on Pindar's Head.
The World admires Alcæus' Lays,
And grave Stesichorus is read.
Time cannot raze Anacreon's Name,
Nor prey upon his youthful Strains;
Sweet Sappho of Love's gentle Flame
In never-dying Verse complains.
Nor prey upon his youthful Strains;
Sweet Sappho of Love's gentle Flame
In never-dying Verse complains.
106
Helen was not the only Fair,
Who in her Passion met her Fate,
Fond of her Lover's Face and Hair,
His Grandeur, Equipage and State.
Who in her Passion met her Fate,
Fond of her Lover's Face and Hair,
His Grandeur, Equipage and State.
Brave Sthenelus and Merion's Son
Were not the first renown'd in War;
The Trojans wag'd more Wars than one,
E'er Teucer could a Quiver bear.
Were not the first renown'd in War;
The Trojans wag'd more Wars than one,
E'er Teucer could a Quiver bear.
The ancient Heroes, in their Turn,
Could for their Wives and Country fight,
Before Deiphobus was born,
And valiant Hector saw the Light.
Could for their Wives and Country fight,
Before Deiphobus was born,
And valiant Hector saw the Light.
Older than Agamemnon's Reign
Liv'd Monarchs of a mighty Name;
Of whom no Footsteps now remain,
For want of Bards to sing their Fame.
Liv'd Monarchs of a mighty Name;
Of whom no Footsteps now remain,
For want of Bards to sing their Fame.
Virtue's an idle useless Thing,
When hid in secret, and o'ercast;
Whilst I, my Friend! your Praise can sing,
Your Actions shall for ever last.
When hid in secret, and o'ercast;
Whilst I, my Friend! your Praise can sing,
Your Actions shall for ever last.
Oblivion shall not reach your Fame;
For you by prudent Measures steer;
In every Fortune still the same,
Not flush'd with Joy, nor sunk with Fear.
For you by prudent Measures steer;
In every Fortune still the same,
Not flush'd with Joy, nor sunk with Fear.
You ever Faithful, Just and True,
From Bribes and Avarice are clear;
Oppression stands in awe of You;
You should be Consul every Year.
From Bribes and Avarice are clear;
Oppression stands in awe of You;
You should be Consul every Year.
Vice, when adorn'd with Wealth and State,
With you no Favour is allow'd;
Your Judgment's Right, and sure as Fate;
You triumph o'er the giddy Crowd.
With you no Favour is allow'd;
Your Judgment's Right, and sure as Fate;
You triumph o'er the giddy Crowd.
107
He is not number'd with the Bless'd,
To whom the Gods large Stores have giv'n,
But He, who of enough possess'd,
Can wisely use the Gifts of Heav'n:
To whom the Gods large Stores have giv'n,
But He, who of enough possess'd,
Can wisely use the Gifts of Heav'n:
Who Fortune's Frowns with Patience bears,
And the worst Ills the Gods can send;
His Honour to his Life prefers,
To save his Country or his Friend.
And the worst Ills the Gods can send;
His Honour to his Life prefers,
To save his Country or his Friend.
| The odes, epodes and Carmen Seculare of Horace (1719) | |