Odes by Horace

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THE ODES AND CARMEN SAECULARE OF HORACE

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SEPTIMI, GADES.


Septimius, who with me would brave

Far Gades, and Cantabrian land

Untamed by Home, and Moorish wave

That whirls the sand;

Fair Tibur, town of Argive kings,

There would I end my days serene,

At rest from seas and travellings,

And service seen.

Should angry Fate those wishes foil,

Then let me seek Galesus, sweet

To skin-clad sheep, and that rich soil,

The Spartan's seat.

O, what can match the green recess,

Whose honey not to Hybla yields,

Whose
olives vie with those that bless Venafrum's fields?

Long springs, mild winters glad that spot

By Jove's good grace, and Aulon, dear

To fruitful Bacchus, envies not

Falernian cheer.

That spot, those happy heights desire

Our sojourn; there, when life shall end,

Your tear shall dew my yet warm pyre,

Your bard and friend.





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