Now drink we deep, now featly treadA measure; now before each shrineWith Salian feasts the table spread;The time invites us, comrades mine.'Twas shame to broach, before today,The Caecuban, while Egypt's dameThreaten'd our power in dust to layAnd wrap the Capitol in flame,Girt with her foul emasculate throng,By Fortune's sweet new wine befool'd,In hope's ungovern'd weakness strongTo hope for all; but soon she cool'd,To see one ship from burning 'scape;Great Caesar taught her dizzy brain,Made mad by Mareotic grape,To feel the sobering truth of pain,And gave her chase from Italy,As after doves fierce falcons speed,As hunters 'neath Haemonia's skyChase the tired hare, so might he lead