 | The odes, epodes and Carmen Seculare of Horace (1719) |  |
123
EPODE VII. To the People of Rome.
What Rage, mad Romans, drives you on?Why is the Sword unsheath'd, and War begun?
Are not the Fields and blushing Flood
Already dy'd too deep with Roman Blood?
See Carthage to the Clouds aspires!
On those proud Walls employ these hostile Fires;
Or send your Arms across the Main,
And let the Britains wear a Roman Chain.
Must Rome to Rome a Victim fall,
To please the wishing Mede, and smiling Gaul?
Lions and Wolves less Savage are,
For Wolves and Lions their own Likeness spare.
By what blind Fury are you driven?
From you this Rage, or from avenging Heav'n?
Speak; Can your Guilt no Language find?
How pale your Look! What Horrors fill your Mind!
Have then the cruel Fates decreed,
That we for antient Fratricide must bleed?
Here Remus' sacred Blood was spilt,
And we must suffer for paternal Guilt.
| The odes, epodes and Carmen Seculare of Horace (1719) | |