Chides the South seas, may his fury lay Green Etruria's woods in ruin, sparing thee: so many a bale Drop to thee, whence only drop it may, From great Jove, and Neptune watching o'er Ta rentum's holy soil. -Wilt commit, unrecking, an offence Which shall harm thy innocent offspring? On thine own head may recoil Righteous vengeance, and a recompense That shall bow thy pride. Abandoned, unavenged, I will not be: For such crime no offerings shall atone. Though mayhap thy time is precious, small the boon I ask of thee: Throw three handfuls o'er me, and begone. ODE 38. TO HIS SLAVE. PERSIAN grandeur I abhor; Linden-wreathèd crowns, avaunt: Boy, I bid thee not explore Woods which latest roses haunt: Try on naught thy busy craft Save plain myrtle; so arrayed Thou shalt fetch, I drain, the draught Fitliest 'neath the scant vine-shade. BOOK III. ODE 1. I SCORN and shun the rabble's noise. That ear hath not yet heard, I sing, To Jove the flocks which great kings sway, This man may plant in broader lines In worth, in fame, a third outshines His mates; or, thronged with clients, claims Precedence. Even-handed Fate Hath but one law for small and great: That ample urn holds all men's names. He o'er whose doomed neck hangs the sword Unsheathed, the dainties of the South Shall lack their sweetness in his mouth : No note of bird or harpsichord Shall bring him Sleep. Yet Sleep is kind, Nor scorns the huts of labouring men; The bank where shadows play, the glen Of Tempe dancing in the wind. He, who but asks 'Enough,' defies Wild waves to rob him of his ease; He fears no rude shocks, when he sees Arcturus set or Hædus rise: When hailstones lash his vines, or fails -In straitened seas the fish are pent; And he, whom earth could not content, The Master. Yet shall Fear and Hate Climb where the Master climbs: nor e'er From the armed trireme parts black Care; He sits behind, the horseman's mate. And if red marble shall not ease The heartache; nor the shell that shines All scents that charmed Achæmenes: Why should I rear me halls of rare Design, on proud shafts mounting high? For doubled wealth and doubled care? |