Odes Horace Horace. The Odes and Carmen Saeculare of Horace. Conington, John, translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1882. The Median sabre! lights and wine!Was stranger contrast ever seen?Cease, cease this brawling, comrades mine,And still upon your elbows lean.Well, shall I take a toper's partOf fierce Falernian? let our guest,Megilla's brother, say what dartGave the death-wound that makes him blest.He hesitates? no other hireShall tempt my sober brains. Whate'erThe goddess tames you, no base fireShe kindles; 'tis some gentle fair