University of Virginia Library

To JULIUS ANTONIUS. Ode II.

He much advanceth Pindar's height, Greek Stile; then, praises Augustus.

Who PINDAR'S Stile to reach doth aim,
Trusts waxen Wings, which chanc'd to please
Th' Icarian Youth, and drown'd may name
The glassy Seas.
Like flood from lofty Cliffs, whom showr's
Have overswell'd its ancient Bound,
Boyls PINDAR high, large Language pours
From Mouth profound.
Worthy'st to be with Laurel grac'd,
When shows in Dithyrambicks bold
Uulgar stile; Verse freely pac'd,
By none controull'd.

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When chanteth Gods, or mighty Kings
Their seed, by whom (most just) destroy'd
Centaurs Chimæra's dreadfull stings,
Which flames did void.
Or those, th' Elean Palm brought home,
Celestial stil'd (the Horse-combatant,
Or foot) 'bove hundred Statues dumb,
Tongu'd verse doth grant.
Snatch'd Youth from weeping Bride does mourn
By fates, whose Valour, golden parts,
'Mongst Stars enroll'd; from Grave deaths scorn
Frees his Deserts.
Much Gale this sweet Dyrræan Swan,
To th' cloudy Coast when oft aspires,
Doth raise like Bee Calabrian
With low Desires.
Which through the Wood, moist Tibur-bank
Sweet Thyme doth search with toilsome Wing:
Laborious strains of smaller Rank
My Muse doth sing.
Thou with grand Harp, enlarged Verse
Shalt CÆSAR chant; when drags in Pride
Through sacred Mount the Germans fierce,
Palm-beautifi'd.
Then whom kind Gods to th' Earth have given
Nought greater, better Things; nor none
Will give, though times returned even
To th' Golden one.
Thou Festivals and publick Sports
Shalt chant, since to his Royal home
Stout CÆSAR obtain'd; when freed Law-courts
From wrangling, dumb:
Large part (what worthy ought) then bring:
My Mouth shall joyn, and blisful I,
O fairest day! extoll'd, shall sing;
Great CÆSAR nigh.
Thou marching first, with general Voice,
Grand Triumph, O! grand Triumph, we
Shall round proclaim; burn Incence choice
To th' Gods, most free.
Thou shalt ten Bulls prepare, ten Cows;
Me weaned Calf acquits the spoil
From Dam, growing big to serve my Vows
On fruitful Soil:

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Whose younger Front those fiery horns
O'th' Moon presents, when three days old;
White Snowy mark his Brow adorns,
The rest like Gold.