 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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61. FROM HORACE.
“EXEGI MONUMENTUM AERE PERENNIUS.”
My monument is built, more hard than brass,More than the Pyramids sublime,
Though that of mighty kings the labour was;
Which not the idle North, nor wasting rain,
Nor yet shall see in ruin lain
Th' unnumber'd race of years, and flight of Time.
All shall not die, but much of me
Shall shun th' unwilling destiny:
For I shall but enlarge in future praise,
As doth the Universe in days;
Long as the Pontiff, and the silent maid shall move
Up to the Capitol of Jove.
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Of Aufidus, whose deaf'ning roar
Affrights th' Apulian swain; and where
Old Daunus held his regal state,
A prince from humble fortune great,
And ruled his country realms in water poor;
The first, that to Italia brought
Th' Æolian song, and to her shepherds taught:
Take, then, for this, O Muse, thy rightful praise,
And, whilst th' admiring World doth on thy beauty gaze,
Bind on my brow the Delphic bays!
| Poems on Several Occasions | |