Odes

Horace

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

  • Ours to mould our weakling sons
  • To nobler sentiment and manlier deed:
  • Now the noble's first-born shuns
  • The perilous chase, nor learns to sit his steed:
  • Set him to the unlawful dice,
  • Or Grecian hoop, how skilfully he plays!
  • While his sire, mature in vice,
  • A friend, a partner, or a guest betrays,
  • Hurrying, for an heir so base,
  • To gather riches. Money, root of ill,
  • Doubt it not, still grows apace:
  • Yet the scant heap has somewhat lacking still.
  • Whither, Bacchus, tear'st thou me.
  • FiIl'd with thy strength? What dens, what forests these,
  • Thus in wildering race I see?
  • What cave shall hearken to my melodies,