For all behind belongs to his eternal reign. Who dies to-day, and will as long be so, 320 FROM THE FIFTH BOOK OF LUCRETIUS. THUS, like a sailor by a tempest hurl'd Helpless of all that human wants require; Expos'd upon unhospitable earth, From the first moment of his hapless birth. Straight with foreboding cries he fills the room; Too true presages of his future doom. 10 But flocks and herds, and every savage beast, 15 Nor forge the wicked instruments of war: Unlabour'd Earth her bounteous treasure grants, And Nature's lavish hand supplies their common wants. TRANSLATIONS FROM HORACE. THE THIRD ODE OF THE FIRST BOOK OF HORACE; INSCRIBED TO THE EARL OF ROSCOMMON, ON HIS INTENDED VOYAGE TO IRELAND. So may the auspicious Queen of Love, As thou, to whom the Muse commends Dost thy committed pledge restore, Who tempted first the briny flood: Nor fear'd the winds' contending roar, 5 10 15 Nor billows beating on the shore; The more confin'd, the more he tries, Thus bold Prometheus did aspire, And stole from heaven the seeds of fire: A train of ills, a ghastly crew, 40 The robber's blazing track pursue; And Fevers of the fiery race, In swarms the offending wretch surround, 45 With borrow'd wings to sail in air: To hell Alcides forc'd his way, 50 Plung'd through the lake, and snatch'd the prey. Are safe from our audacious crimes; And pull the unwilling thunder down. 55 THE NINTH ODE OF THE FIRST BOOK BEHOLD yon mountain's hoary height, Oppress the labouring woods below: With well-heap'd logs dissolve the cold, And feed the genial hearth with fires; And sprightly wit and love inspires: Let him alone, with what he made, To toss and turn the world below; At his command the storms invade; 5 10 15 The winds by his commission blow; Till with a nod he bids 'em cease, And then the calm returns, and all is peace. To-morrow and her works defy, Lay hold upon the present hour, And snatch the pleasures passing by, To put them out of fortune's power: Nor love, nor love's delights disdain ; Whate'er thou gett'st to-day is gain. Secure those golden early joys, The appointed hour of promis'd bliss, The half unwilling willing kiss, The laugh that guides thee to the mark, When the kind nymph would coyness feign, And hides but to be found again; 20 25 These, these are joys, the gods for youth ordain. 35 30 35 |