The Works of Horace In English Verse By several hands. Collected and Published By Mr. Duncombe. With Notes Historical and Critical |
 | 1. |
 | 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 2. |
 | The Works of Horace In English Verse |  |
403
EPISTLE XI. To Bullatius.
He invites his Friend to quit Asia, and return back to Rome; observing at the same Time, that a Man of an equal Temper may be happy in any Climate.
Of far-fam'd Lesbos give Delight?
Say, what Idea you retain
Of Chios, what of Crœsus' Reign,
Sardis? Did Samos' Neatness move,
Or do you Colophon approve,
And Smyrna? Do they all fall short,
Or more than answer Fame's Report?
Or, in your Fancy, do they yield
To Tyber's Stream and Mars's Field?
Some Asian City would you chuse?
Or all for Lebedus refuse?
Whose friendly Port receiv'd you, free
From Toils by Land, and Storms by Sea?
404
Say, did you ever see that Town?
Horace.
I have, 'Tis a mean Place, less known
Than Gabii or Fidenæ.
Bullatius.
There
I'd rather breathe the vital Air,
Forgetting and forgot, on Shore
Secure to hear old Ocean roar,
Than tempt again its boisterous Tide.
Horace.
They who to Rome from Capua ride,
Would not, though wet with Dirt and Rain,
For ever at an Inn remain.
The Wretch too, numb'd by freezing Skies,
To Baths and Fires with Transport flies,
Yet will he never place in these
His sovereign Bliss—Beyond the Seas,
If Tempests roar, and Surges swell,
Your shatter'd Vessel would you sell?
He, who his Mind with Reason arms,
Fair Rhodes or Mitylene's Charms
Regards no more than silk Attire
In Frost; a Cloak in June; and Fire
In August's Heat. Whilst yet you may,
Whilst Fortune smiles, at Rome display
The Joys of Chios, Samos, Rhodes.
Whatever prosperous Hour the Gods
Bestow, with grateful Hand receive,
And on to-day contented live.
Would not, though wet with Dirt and Rain,
For ever at an Inn remain.
The Wretch too, numb'd by freezing Skies,
To Baths and Fires with Transport flies,
Yet will he never place in these
His sovereign Bliss—Beyond the Seas,
If Tempests roar, and Surges swell,
Your shatter'd Vessel would you sell?
405
Fair Rhodes or Mitylene's Charms
Regards no more than silk Attire
In Frost; a Cloak in June; and Fire
In August's Heat. Whilst yet you may,
Whilst Fortune smiles, at Rome display
The Joys of Chios, Samos, Rhodes.
Whatever prosperous Hour the Gods
Bestow, with grateful Hand receive,
And on to-day contented live.
If Reason, and not Change of Air,
Alone can free our Souls from Care;
If those who range at last will find
They shift their Climate, not their Mind;
'Tis idle Labour sure to roam
Abroad for Bliss; since here at home
The Man, of equal Soul possest,
May e'en at Ulubræ be blest.
Alone can free our Souls from Care;
If those who range at last will find
They shift their Climate, not their Mind;
'Tis idle Labour sure to roam
Abroad for Bliss; since here at home
The Man, of equal Soul possest,
May e'en at Ulubræ be blest.
| The Works of Horace In English Verse | |