A Collection of Miscellanies Consisting of Poems, Essays, Discourses & Letters, Occasionally Written. By John Norris ... The Second Edition Corrected |
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The tenth Ode of the second Book of Horace translated.
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 | A Collection of Miscellanies |  |
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The tenth Ode of the second Book of Horace translated.
I
'Tis much the better way, believe me 'tis,Not far to venture on the great Abyss,
Nor yet from storms thy Vessel to secure,
To touch too nigh upon the dangerous shore.
II
The Golden Mean, as she's too nice to dwellAmong the ruins of a filthy Cell,
So is her Modesty withall as great
To baulk the envy of a Princely seat.
III
Th' ambitious Winds with greater spite CombineTo shock the grandeur of the stately Pine.
The height of structures makes the ruin large,
And Clouds against high hills their hottest bolts discharge.
IV
An even well-pois'd mind an evil stateWith Hope, a good with Fear does moderate.
The Summers pride by Winter is brought down,
And flowers again the Conquering season Crown.
V
Take heart, nor of the laws of Fate Complain,Tho now 'tis Cloudy, 'twill Clear up again.
The Bow Apollo does not always use
But with his milder Lyre sometimes awakes the Muse.
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VI
Be life and spirit, when fortune proves unkind,And summon up the vigour of thy mind.
But when thou'rt driven by too officious gales,
Be wise, and gather in the swelling Sails.
| A Collection of Miscellanies | |