University of Virginia Library

HORACE and LYDIA.

The Ninth Ode of the Third Book.

HORACE.
Whilst I was welcome to your Heart
In which no happier Youth had Part,
And full of more prevailing Charms,
Threw round your Neck his dearer Arms,
I flourish'd richer and more blest
Than the great Monarch of the East.

LYDIA.
Whilst all thy Soul with me was fill'd,
Nor Lydia did to Chloe yield,
Lydia, the celebrated Name,
The only Theme of Verse and Fame,
I flourish'd more than she renown'd,
Whose Godlike Son our Rome did found.

HORACE.
Me Chloe now, whom every Muse,
And every Grace adorn, subdues;
For whom I'd gladly die, to save
Her dearer Beauties from the Grave.

LYDIA.
Me lovely Calais does fire
With mutual Flames of fierce Desire;
For whom I twice would die, to save
His Youth more precious from the Grave.

HORACE.
What if our former Loves return,
And our first Fires again should burn?
If Chloe's banish'd to make way
For the forsaken Lydia?

LYDIA.
Tho' he is shining as a Star,
Constant and kind as he is Fair;
Thou light as Cork, rough as the Sea,
Yet I would live, would die with thee.