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 thenceEach added year.