Odes of Pindar With several other Pieces in Prose and Verse, Translated from the Greek. To which is added a dissertation on the Olympick games. By Gilbert West |
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The Fourth Ode of the Fourth Book of HORACE. |
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 | Odes of Pindar |  |
131
The Fourth Ode of the Fourth Book of HORACE.
Qualem ministrum fulminis alitem, &c.
Written at Oxford MDCCXXV.
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This Ode, one of the most Pindarick in Horace, was written at the Command of Augustus, to celebrate the Victory of his Son-in-law Drusus over the Rhæti Vindelici, a Nation at the Foot of the Alps, between the Leck and the Inn. After two noble Comparisons, extremely in the Manner of Pindar, the Poet introduces a Compliment to Augustus, under whose Tuition Drusus and his Brother Tiberius were bred; and then takes occasion (as the Greek Poet generally does) to make an Encomium upon the Country and Family of his Hero; particularly upon that of Claudius Nero who conquered Asdrubal on the Banks of the River Metaurus; the Praise of which Action, together with that of the whole Roman People, he much enlivens and raises, by putting it into the Mouth of Hannibal, whom he introduces complaining of his Brother's Defeat and Death. This artful Panegyrick is a beautiful
132
I
As the wing'd Minister of Thund'ring Jove,To whom he gave his dreadful Bolts to bear,
Faithfull Assistant of his Master's Love,
King of the wand'ring Nations of the Air,
II
When balmy Breezes fan'd the vernal Sky,On doubtful Pinions left his Parent Nest,
In slight Essays his growing Force to try,
While inborn Courage fir'd his gen'rous Breast:
III
Then darting with impetuous Fury down,The Flocks he slaughter'd, an unpractis'd Foe;
Now his ripe Valour to Perfection grown
The scaly Snake and crested Dragon know:
IV
Or, as a Lyon's youthful Progeny,Wean'd from his savage Dam and milky Food,
The grazing Kid beholds with fearful Eye,
Doom'd first to stain his tender Fangs in Blood:
133
V
Such Drusus, young in Arms, his Foes beheld,The Alpine Rhæti, long unmatch'd in Fight;
So were their Hearts with abject Terror quell'd;
So sunk their haughty Spirit at the Sight.
VI
Tam'd by a Boy, the fierce Barbarians findHow guardian Prudence guides the youthfull Flame,
And how Great Cæsar's fond paternal Mind
Each gen'rous Nero forms to early Fame!
VII
A valiant Son springs from a valiant Sire:Their Race by Mettle sprightly Coursers prove;
Nor can the warlike Eagle's active Fire
Degenerate to form the tim'rous Dove.
VIII
But Education can the Genius raise,And wise Instructions native Virtue aid;
Nobility without them is Disgrace,
And Honour is by Vice to Shame betray'd.
IX
Let red Metaurus stain'd with Punick Blood,Let mighty Asdrubal subdu'd confess
How much of Empire and of Fame is ow'd
By thee, O Rome, to the Neronian Race.
134
X
Of this be Witness that auspicious Day,Which, after a long, black, tempestuous Night,
First smil'd on Latium with a milder Ray,
And chear'd our drooping Hearts with dawning Light;
XI
Since the dire African with wasteful IreRode o'er the ravag'd Towns of Italy,
As through the Pine Trees flies the raging Fire,
Or Eurus o'er the vext Sicilian Sea.
XII
From this bright Æra, from this prosp'rous FieldThe Roman Glory dates her rising Pow'r;
From hence 'twas giv'n her conqu'ring Sword to wield,
Raise her fall'n Gods, and ruin'd Shrines restore.
XIII
Thus Hannibal at length despairing spoke:“Like Stags to rav'nous Wolves an easy Prey,
“Our feeble Arms a valiant Foe provoke,
“Whom to elude and 'scape were Victory;
XIV
“A dauntless Nation, that from Trojan Fires,“Hostile Ausonia, to thy destin'd Shore
“Her Gods, her infant Sons, and aged Sires
“Thro' angry Seas and adverse Tempests bore.
135
XV
“As on high Algidus the sturdy Oak,“Whose spreading Boughs the Axe's Sharpness feel,
“Improves by Loss, and thriving with the Stroke,
“Draws Health and Vigour from the wounding Steel.
XVI
“Not Hydra sprouting from her mangled Head“So tir'd the baffled Force of Hercules,
“Nor Thebes, nor Colchis such a Monster bred,
“Pregnant of Ills, and fam'd for Prodigies.
XVII
“Plunge her in Ocean, like the Morning Sun,“Brighter she rises from the Depths below:
“To Earth with unavailing Ruin thrown,
“Recruits her Strength, and foils the wond'ring Foe.
XVIII
“Ah! now no more my haughty Messenger“Shall bear the joyfull Tale of Victory:
“Lost, lost is all our long Renown in War!
“With Asdrubal our Hopes and Fortune die!
XIX
“What shall the Claudian Valour not perform,“Which Pow'r Divine guards with propitious Care,
“Which Wisdom steers through all the dang'rous Storm,
“Thro' all the Rocks and Shoals of doubtfull War?
| Odes of Pindar | |