 | The odes, epodes and Carmen Seculare of Horace (1719) |  |
EPODE VI. To Cassius Severus.
Why, Mungrel! Why so fierce and loud?Why wilt thou teaze the Gentle and the Good?
Turn, turn; on me employ thy Spite,
For I again with equal Force can bite:
No Greyhound is so swift of Foot.
No Farmer's Mastiff half so bold and stout:
Whatever Brutes dare cross my Way,
I give 'em Chace, and never quit my Prey.
But you who so much Courage boast,
Will fawn, and crouch, and truckle for a Crust
My Rage with double Fury burns,
When thus provok'd, I toss my pointed Horns:
Not fam'd Archilochus could show,
Or Hipponax, less Favour to a Foe:
Let Boys, when beaten, whine and cry,
If I'm attack'd, I conquer, or I die.
| The odes, epodes and Carmen Seculare of Horace (1719) | |