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The Odes and Epodon of Horace, In Five Books

Translated into English by J. H. [i.e. John Harington]

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On greedy RICH MEN. Ode XXIV.
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On greedy RICH MEN. Ode XXIV.

Though Wealth thou vauntest more
Then th' Ind, untouch'd Arabia's store;
Dost gorge with structures vain
Th' intire Tyrrhene and Pontick Main;
Since Fate the lofti'st Crest
With Adamantine Darts hath prest,
Nor free'd from Fear thy mind,
Nor head from snares of Death untwin'd.
More Field-bred Scythians live,
Whose Carts their vagrant Houses drive;

74

Firce Getes whose common ground
Free Crops affords, discharg'd from Bound:
Nor longer Tillage love
Then one full year lik Task must prove
His Mate whilst he does play,
Th' ensuing months keeps Holyday.
Mild, harmless Stepdames there
With Sons in law more gently bear;
Nor Wife through Dowry great
Her Spouse o'rerules, kept Letcher neat;
Sweet heart: grand Portion be
Parents good fame, Maids chastity;
Sure-bound not daring slide,
Restraint and Death the price beside
O he that slaughters harm
Would stop, and Civil madness charm,
Rome's Father stil'd does love
On Statue's brest; let bridled prove
Licentiousness o'th' time,
Whence fam'd to th' After-age: bad Crime,
Vertue alive we hate,
Envy, but seek when seiz'd by Fate.
But what's complaint, alas,
If still th' Offence unpunish'd pass?
Law's vain if Lives not grown
Reform'd; when parts most Torrid known,
Whom burning Heat surrounds,
For Boreas frost clad neighbour-grounds,
Where crusted Snows do ly,
Warn Merchants thence: when Seamen try
To master dreadful Seas:
Want held so great disgrace by these,
They'l tug with any thing;
But quit the Virtuous suffering.
Or now let's throw in scorn
Gems, Gold the Capitol t'adorn
(Where vulgar noise doth Crown)
Base trash; or neerest-Sea let drown;
Since worst of mischiefs breed:
If for our Faults peplext indeed,
First Elements we must
Root forth of base Desires and Lust:
Soft tender Minds still train
To sharper things: your Generous strain

75

Nor War-bred Horse can ride;
Nor dares pursue the Boar, well try'd:
For Grecian Tops or proud
Of Dice, by Laws not fit allow'd.
While th' perjur'd Sire his Friend
House-guest doth cheat, to leave i'th' end
Gold for th' unworthy Boy;
Whose naughty Bags though brood with joy,
And fruitful Piles grow more
Still something wants, like slender Store.