To MÆCENAS. Ode I.
Divers Men affect divers Things; Horace the Name of a Lyrick Poet.
Mæcenas sprung from Kingly race;
O my Defence and sweetest Grace:
Some love to make with Chariots fly
The Olympick dust, Goal passed by
With heated Wheels: brave Palm doth mount
Earth-Lords to Gods, divine account.
He's pleas'd, th' uncertain City-croud
When Honours hath by Voice allow'd:
This, should his Barns be swell'd with Hoard
Of all that Lybian floors afford;
Whom, chain'd to's Father's Grounds (strong love
To th' Country-plough) great'st terms not move
To cut Myrtoian seas from far,
With Cyprus-keel, scar'd Mariner.
When Winds Icarian Waves contend,
The Merchant, aw'd, does rest commend,
With rural Grange; though soon makes fit
Torn Bark, for want unpractis'd yet.
Some nought despise old Massick Wine,
But part o'th day for th' Bowl design;
Near hallow'd Fount (branch'd shade for bed)
Soft-murmur'd Streams their members spread.
Many there be, whom Warlike fight,
Loud Trumpets noise with Tents delight,
By Mothers loath'd: The Huntsman dare,
Fond Spouse forgot, face sharpest Air;
When faithful Dogs have view'd the Doe;
Or Marsyan Boar his Toyls o'rethrow.
Me Laurel, which the Learn'd does crown,
Triumphant way, gives great renown.
Groves, Nymphs joyn'd Quire, with Satyrs dance,
Above that vulgar rank advance:
If EUTERP not her Pipe restrain,
Nor POLIHIMN my Harp disdain:
'Mongst Lyrick Poets me inrole,
My head shall strike the Starry Pole.
