University of Virginia Library

The xxvi. Ode in Hor. l. 3. Paraphras'd.

Vixi puellis nuper idoneus,
Et militavi non sine Gloria: &c.

I

Tis true, while active Blood my Veins did fire,
And vigorous Youth gay Thoughts inspire,
(By your leave, Courteous Reader, be it said)
I cou'd have don't as well as most Men did;
But now I am (the more's the Pity)
The veriest Fumbler in the City.

II

There, honest Harp, that hast of late
So often bore thy sinful Master's Fate,
Thou a crack'd Side, and he a broken Pate;
Hang up, and peaceful Rest enjoy;

19

Hang up, while poor dejected I,
Unmusical, unstrung like thee, sit mourning by.

III

And likewise all ye trusty Bars,
With whose Assistance heretofore,
When Love engag'd me in his Wars,
I've batter'd, heaven forgive me, many a Door;
Lie there, till some more able Hand
Shall you to your old pious Use command.

IV

But, oh kind Phœbus, lend a pitying Ear
To thy old Servant's humble Prayer,
Let scornful Chloe thy Resentments feel,
Lash her all o'er with Rods of Steel;
And when the Jilt shall of her Smart complain;
This 'tis, then tell her, to disdain
Thy sacred Power, and scorn a Lover's pain.