The Works of Capt. Alex. Radcliffe In one Volume ... The Third Edition Augmented [by Alexander Radcliffe] |
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The fourteenth Ode of the Second Book of Horace.
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 | The Works of Capt. Alex. Radcliffe |  |
The fourteenth Ode of the Second Book of Horace.
Eheu fugaces, Posthume, Posthume,
Labuntur anni ------
Labuntur anni ------
See, Posthumus, how years do fly;
Nor can the smoothest Piety
Fill up one wrinkle in the Face,
Or stop Old Ages certain pace,
Or quell Mortality.
Nor can the smoothest Piety
Fill up one wrinkle in the Face,
Or stop Old Ages certain pace,
Or quell Mortality.
When dying if thou shouldst design
To offer up at Pluto's Shrine,
As many Bullocks fat and fair,
As th'are days in every year,
One hour would not be thine.
To offer up at Pluto's Shrine,
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As th'are days in every year,
One hour would not be thine.
See the thrice bulky Geryon stand,
Shackled in Ropes of Stygian:
On 't'other side the doleful Pool
See the extended Tityus roul,
Where all Mankind must land.
Shackled in Ropes of Stygian:
On 't'other side the doleful Pool
See the extended Tityus roul,
Where all Mankind must land.
This irksom Shore must entertain
The greatest Prince that e'er shall reign:
As great a welcom shall be there
Made to the meanest Cottager;
Distinctions are in vain.
The greatest Prince that e'er shall reign:
As great a welcom shall be there
Made to the meanest Cottager;
Distinctions are in vain.
In vain we shun the chance of War,
Where the most frequent dangers are.
In vain we do secure our selves
From troubled Seas, or Sands, or Shelves,
Or a cold Winter fear.
Where the most frequent dangers are.
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From troubled Seas, or Sands, or Shelves,
Or a cold Winter fear.
By all the Human Race at last
Muddy Cocytus must be past;
Where th' impious Daughters fill a Sieve,
Where Sisyphus in vain does strive
To stick the Rowler fast.
Muddy Cocytus must be past;
Where th' impious Daughters fill a Sieve,
Where Sisyphus in vain does strive
To stick the Rowler fast.
We bid Farwell to Land and House,
To th' joys of an untainted Spouse;
And to the silent Groves and Trees,
Whose Height and Shade at once do please:
But there sad Cypress grows.
To th' joys of an untainted Spouse;
And to the silent Groves and Trees,
Whose Height and Shade at once do please:
But there sad Cypress grows.
Then shall rich Wines brought from Campain,
Which you with Locks and Bolts detain,
Be by your worthy Heir let loose,
To give a Tincture round the House,
Where he does entertain.
Which you with Locks and Bolts detain,
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To give a Tincture round the House,
Where he does entertain.
| The Works of Capt. Alex. Radcliffe | |