Note we in our calendarThis festal day with whitest mark from Crete:Let it flow, the old wine-jar,And ply to Salian time your restless feet.Damalis tosses off her wine,But Bassus sure must prove her match tonight.Give us roses all to twine,And parsley green, and lilies deathly white.Every melting eye will restOn Damalis' lovely face; but none may partDamalis from our new-found guest;She clings, and clings, like ivy, round his heart.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,