The Works of Horace In English Verse By several hands. Collected and Published By Mr. Duncombe. With Notes Historical and Critical |
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 | The Works of Horace In English Verse |  |
353
EPISTLE V. To Torquatus.
The Poet invites his Friend to Supper, and gives him his Bill of Fare and Company.
If you can loll on antique Beds, and eat
Herbs for your Supper, on an earthen Plate,
To-night, Torquatus, I'll expect you here.
My Wine was cask'd in Taurus' second Year:
Minturna's marshy Valley yields the Vine;
Bring yours, if better; if not, drink of mine.
Herbs for your Supper, on an earthen Plate,
To-night, Torquatus, I'll expect you here.
My Wine was cask'd in Taurus' second Year:
Minturna's marshy Valley yields the Vine;
Bring yours, if better; if not, drink of mine.
Already shines my Sideboard, smokes my Fire:
From Hopes, and Fears, and Thirst of Gain retire,
And Moschus' Cause. To-morrow's glorious Morn
Indulges Rest; for then was Cæsar born;
So may we safely, 'till the rising Light,
In social Converse wear the shorten'd Night.
From Hopes, and Fears, and Thirst of Gain retire,
And Moschus' Cause. To-morrow's glorious Morn
Indulges Rest; for then was Cæsar born;
So may we safely, 'till the rising Light,
In social Converse wear the shorten'd Night.
Say, why are Riches giv'n, but to enjoy?
Who starves himself to glut some favourite Boy
Is little less than mad. Flowers will I spread,
And deeply drink, and no Reproaches dread.
What Wonders Wine effects? By that, reveal'd
Are Secrets; Cowards hurry'd to the Field;
To the dejected, Courage it imparts,
Fires with fresh Hopes the bold, and teaches Arts.
Bumpers inspire with Eloquence divine,
And ev'n the needy drown their Wants in Wine.
I, for my part, will strict Attention lend,
Lest a stain'd Bed, or dirty Cloth offend;
And every Plate and Dish shall, like a Glass,
Reflect your Face—'Mongst Friends let nothing pass
The Door. That well-match'd Tempers may be join'd,
You here will Brutus and Septimius find;
Sabinus too, if by no better Feast
And a kind Girl detain'd, shall be my Guest:
And Room will still be left for other Friends;
But in the Dog-days' Heat a Crowd offends.
Your Number fix; and, letting Business wait,
Slip from your Client through the Garden Gate.
Who starves himself to glut some favourite Boy
Is little less than mad. Flowers will I spread,
And deeply drink, and no Reproaches dread.
354
Are Secrets; Cowards hurry'd to the Field;
To the dejected, Courage it imparts,
Fires with fresh Hopes the bold, and teaches Arts.
Bumpers inspire with Eloquence divine,
And ev'n the needy drown their Wants in Wine.
I, for my part, will strict Attention lend,
Lest a stain'd Bed, or dirty Cloth offend;
And every Plate and Dish shall, like a Glass,
Reflect your Face—'Mongst Friends let nothing pass
The Door. That well-match'd Tempers may be join'd,
You here will Brutus and Septimius find;
Sabinus too, if by no better Feast
And a kind Girl detain'd, shall be my Guest:
And Room will still be left for other Friends;
But in the Dog-days' Heat a Crowd offends.
Your Number fix; and, letting Business wait,
Slip from your Client through the Garden Gate.
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