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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| 1. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. | ODE VII. TO MUNATIUS PLANCUS, A PERSON OF CONSULAR DIGNITY
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| IX. |
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| XIII. |
| XIV. |
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| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
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 | The works of Horace, translated into verse |  |
33
ODE VII. TO MUNATIUS PLANCUS, A PERSON OF CONSULAR DIGNITY
Some writers praise one city or region, and some another. Horace prefers Tibur to all the world, in which place Plancus was born, whom he exhorts to the washing away of care by wine.
Or Mytilene, or th'Ephesian pride,
Or chant the walls of Corinth in their odes,
Wash'd by a different sea on either side,
Or Thebes for Bacchus, Delphi justly fam'd
For Phœbus, or Thessalian Tempe's vale;
Some make the seat of Pallas, nymph unblam'd,
The theme of one uninterrupted tale,
And run all lengths to wear an olive-crown—
Many for Juno, with poetic zeal,
Argus so apt for cavalry renown,
And, rich Mycenæ, boast thy public weal.
With me nor patient Sparta, nor the plains
Of high-manur'd Larissa e'er cou'd take,
As where Albunea's tinkling fount remains,
Or Anio roaring down into the lake.
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Where flow'ring orchards give a strong perfume,
Where marshal'd trees upon the stream are seen,
And in the waggling waters wave their bloom.
As the white south at times serenes the skies,
Nor are his gathring show'rs for ever rife;
So thou, O Plancus, 'gainst thy cares be wise,
With mellow wine dismiss the toils of life,
Whether the camp, with shining standards gay,
Detain you ready for the hour of fight,
Or in your native Tibur you shall stay,
And in the dense embow'ring shades delight.
When Teucer by his father was oppress'd,
And driv'n away from Salamis he fled,
He thus his weeping company address'd,
As, wet with wine, the poplar bound his head.
“Sped on by fortune, kinder than my sire,
“O my co-mates, we'll go where'er she pleases;
“Despair of nothing and to all aspire—
“By Teucer's guidance Teucer's auspices.
“For Phœbus has of certainty foretold,
“That in a land to us advent'rers new,
“Fair Salamis a doubtful name shall hold,
“O brave companions, O my faithful few!
“Ye that with me have harder things endur'd,
“Than all the evils which ye now sustain,
“This day your grief and care with wine be cur'd,
“To-morrow sends us to the depth again.”
Munatius Plancus, upon the death of Cæsar, at first sided with Octavius, and was consul with M. Lepidus, in the year of Rome, 712. After that he went over to Antony, and did not return to Augustus till 722, who, in consideration of what was past, perhaps not putting any great confidence in him, made no use of him in the war, which that very year was denounced against Antony and Cleopatra. Plancus upon this, being in a state of chagrin, stood in need of that consolation which Horace endeavours to give him in this ode.
| The works of Horace, translated into verse | |