Odes

Horace

Horace. The Odes and Carmen Saeculare of Horace. Conington, John, translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1882.

  • Howe'er men call your Massic juice,
  • Its broaching claims a festal day;
  • Come then; Corvinus bids produce
  • A mellower wine, and I obey.
  • Though steep'd in all Socratic lore
  • He will not slight you; do not fear.
  • They say old Cato o'er and o'er
  • With wine his honest heart would cheer.
  • Tough wits to your mild torture yield
  • Their treasures; you unlock the soul
  • Of wisdom and its stores conceal'd,
  • Arm'd with Lyaeus' kind control.
  • 'Tis yours the drooping heart to heal;
  • Your strength uplifts the poor man's horn;
  • Inspired by you, the soldier's steel,
  • The monarch's crown, he laughs to scorn,