University of Virginia Library

ODE XIX. To Telephus.

You to a Nicety can tell,
When Codrus for his Countrey fell,
How long before him was the Reign
Of Inachus, a mighty Man;
The Race of Æacus you know;
And when the Greeks laid Ilium low:
But never let us know the most,
A Pipe of Chian Wine will cost,
Where and at whose Expence we may
In Drinking pass the Night away,
Melt down the Frost, and warm the Snow,
And make the Wine the Rains out-flow;
These are important Truths indeed:
Come! put about the sprightly Red;
This Glass I drink to Luna bright,
This to the Goddess of the Night,
This to Muræna: Let there be
A Glass for each in Company,
Not more than Nine, nor less than Three.
The Poet his old Toast shall chuse,
We'll bate him not a single Muse;
The Graces dancing Hand in Hand,
But three full Bumpers can Command,
For they are Sober, Chast and Kind,
And not to drunken Frays inclin'd.
Now let us revel in our Wine,
And let the warbling Pipe begin;
The Pipe and Lyre shall both come down,
And Roses the rich Pavement crown;
I hate to have it meanly done.
Let Lycus at next Door, and she
Who ill deserves such Sots as he,
Listen with Envy to the Noise,
And languish to partake our Joys.
Thee, Telephus, whose Golden Hair
And Looks out-shine the Evening Star,
Chloe, just ripe for Man, admires;
Me Glycera's bright Beauty fires.