University of Virginia Library

To C. P. Esq.

Translation of Horace,

Book I. Epist. II.

Good Nestor strives the fierce Disputes to quell,
With which Achilles and Atrides swell;
Keen Love permits one Heroe's Soul no rest,
And Anger rules alike in eithers Breast.
The People's Grief from Monarch's Errors springs,
And Subjects pay the want of Sense in Kings.
Sedition, Falshood, Evil, Lust and Rage
The Camp alike and Garrison engage.
Again what Virtue Wisdom-join'd can do
Th'instructive Chief of Ithaca will show,
Who, Troy in Dust, on many a distant Shore
Much study'd human Arts, and Manners more.
He o'er the Sea by varying Tempests born,
Pursuing long his own and Friends return,
Stemm'd Fortune's Waves, and with unwearied Pain,
Plung'd in Adversity, rose safe again,
The Siren's Songs and Circe's Cups are known,
Which with his Comrades had he swallow'd down,
Unmann'd he'd rued th' imperious Harlot's Wine,
And yelp'd a Dog, or roll'd in Mud a Swine.
We're useless Mouths, made but to eat and drink
Shunning Life's only good Employ, to think.
We're poor Penelope's disorder'd Train,
Phœacian Youth of soft Alcinous' reign,
A vicious Crew, that lull the tortur'd Breast
With Midnight Song and Noon-tide Sleep to rest.
The murd'ring Felon active leaves his Bed,
And, e'er the Sun be ris'n, in Blood is red;
When he so swift to others Ruin hies,
Cannot Self-preservation make you rise?
Tho' well, you will not leave your easy Chair,
When the full Dropsy swells you, you must stir.
Call then for Book and Candle e'er 'tis light,
Give your whole Mind to search out Truth and Right,
Lest some worse cause intruding break your Rest,
And Love disturb, or Envy taint your Breast.
If penetrating Gravel tries your Reins,
The Doctor's call'd in haste to ease your Pains,
And shall your Mind a worse Disease endure
And you let Years pass by, and seek no Cure?
Set out, the Race's hardest Part is run,
Great Wisdom's Work's half finish'd when begun.
Who lets the present Hour unus'd pass by,
Waits with the Clown until the River's dry,
Poor senseless Rustick! the unvarying Stream,
Flows on, and will for ever flow the same.
Wealth to acquire is most Men's sov'reign Care,
And then a Wife to bring that Wealth an Heir.
In Tracts of Waste th'improving Plowshare's seen,
And barren Heaths in fruitful Tilth are green.
Who's satisfy'd, however small his Store,
Should scorn to throw away a Wish for more.
No stately Equipage, no splendid Plate,
No sumptuous House, no Rent-roll of Estate,
E'er gave the fever'd Blood a Moment's Rest,
Or pluck'd one Thorn from out its Master's Breast.
Who thinks to know the use of Joy and Wealth,
Must first be well in Mind, and strong in Health.
Who lives in Fear, or longs with much for more,
Has just such Pleasure from his useless Store,
As Age-dim Eyes from Painting can receive,
Or Musick's Strains to Ears impostum'd give.
The tainted Cask sours all it does contain;
Shun Pleasures, ever bought too dear with Pain.
The Wretch that covets, always lives in Want,
Stint your Desire, Heav'n has no more to grant.
The envious fall to others Joy a Prey,
And as their Neighbours thrive, they pine away;
The Breasts that's Envy's Slave with Pains is prick'd
Beyond what fell Inquisitors inflict.
He who his rising Anger can't controul,
Shall rue the Sallies of his heated Soul,
Shall wish, in Agony of Heart, undone
What Passion will'd in absent Reason's Throne.
Anger's a short-liv'd Madness, and with Sway,
Rules Sovereign if not tutor'd to obey.
Keep strongly in the hot rebellious Mind,
Be it with Bits restrain'd, and Curbs confin'd.
The docile Horse in prime of Years is broke
To bear the Rein, or stretch beneath the Yoke.
The Whelp that hunts the Deer Skin round the Court,
Staunch loves the Field, nor ever quits the Sport.
Drink early then, my Friend, at Reason's Bowl,
And fill with wholesome Draughts thy youthful Soul.
If Wine or Gall the Recent Vessel stains,
Each Scent alike the faithful Cask retains.
Start then on Virtue's Course without Delay,
If you get on but slow, I shall not stay,
Nor press upon you if you lead the Way.