Odes

Horace

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

  • But why, you ask, this special cheer?
  • We celebrate the feast of Ides,
  • Which April's month, to Venus dear,
  • In twain divides.
  • O, 'tis a day for reverence,
  • E'en my own birthday scarce so dear,
  • For my Maecenas counts from thence
  • Each added year.
  • 'Tis Telephus that you'd bewitch:
  • But he is of a high degree;
  • Bound to a lady fair and rich,
  • He is not free.