Odes

Horace

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

  • O, the charms of Glycera,
  • That hue, more dazzling than the Parian stone!
  • O, that sweet tormenting play,
  • That too fair face, that blinds when look'd upon!
  • Venus comes in all her might,
  • Quits Cyprus for my heart, nor lets me tell
  • Of the Parthian, bold in flight,
  • Nor Scythian hordes, nor aught that breaks her spell.
  • Heap the grassy altar up,
  • Bring vervain, boys, and sacred frankincense;
  • Fill the sacrificial cup;
  • A victim's blood will soothe her vehemence.