Odes

Horace

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

  • Pollio, the pale defendant's shield,
  • In deep debate the senate's stay,
  • The hero of Dalmatic field
  • By Triumph crown'd with deathless bay.
  • E'en now with trumpet's threatening blare
  • You thrill our ears; the clarion brays;
  • The lightnings of the armour scare
  • The steed, and daunt the rider's gaze.
  • Methinks I hear of leaders proud
  • With no uncomely dust distain'd,
  • And all the world by conquest bow'd,
  • And only Cato's soul unchain'd.
  • Yes, Juno and the powers on high
  • That left their Afric to its doom,
  • Have led the victors' progeny
  • As victims to Jugurtha's tomb.
  • What field, by Latian blood-drops fed,
  • Proclaims not the unnatural deeds
  • It buries, and the earthquake dread
  • Whose distant thunder shook the Medes?