ODE XVII. TO ÆLIUS LAMIA.
He extols the nobility of Lamia—He then advises him to
spend the morrow with merriment.
O sprung from Lamus! fam'd of old,
Since by our fathers we were told,
That you from him your family derive,
And diaries that feast each rising year revive.
From him, your fountain-head, you spring,
Who was a most extensive king,
And first the Formian walls was said to found
On Liris for Marica in his current bound.
To-morrow's eastern blast shall speed
To strew with leaves and useless weed
The groves, unless th'old raven's voice be vain,
That witch of rising winds, and of descending rain.
On your glad hearth dry billets raise,
And (while 'tis lawful) let 'em blaze;
Indulge to morrow on fat pig and wine,
And servants call'd from work, with their gay lord to dine.
