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Damnosa quid non imminuit dies? Etas parentum pejor avis tulit Nos nequiores, mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiorem.

What does not wasting time impair?

Worse than their sires, our parents barè
An issue yet more base;

Which, feeling still its fatal force,
Shall leave in sad succeeding course
A more corrupted race.

LIBER II.-CARMEN XVI.

AD GROSPHUM.

OTIUM divos rogat in patenti
Prensus Ægæo, simul atra nubes
Condidit lunam, neque certa fulgent
Sidera nautis:

Otium bello furiosa Thrace,

Otium Medi pharetra decori,

Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura venale

auro.

Non enim gazæ neque consularis Summovet lictor miseros tumultus Mentis et curas laqueata circum Tecta volantes.

neque

BOOK II.-ODE XVI.

TO GROSPHUS.

PEACE, heav'nly boon! the trembling wand'rer

craves,

By storms o'ertaken in the Ægean waves;

When gath'ring clouds the waning moon obscure, And guiding stars no more his course secure.

Peace, barbarous Thrace invokes midst endless fight,

Peace, the dull Mede adorned with quiver light! Which gold, nor gems, nor purple's gorgeous dye Can purchase, noble Grosphus! nor deny.

Nor consul's pride of power, nor princely wealth, Can ease the tortured mind, or give it health; Nor from the palace halls and vaulted roof, Sharp cares tumultuous thronging, stand aloof.

Vivitur parvo bene, cui paternum Splendet in mensa tenui salinum, Nec leves somnos timor aut cupido Sordidus aufert.

Quid brevi fortes jaculamur ævo Multa? Quid terras alio calentes Sole mutamus? Patriæ quis exul Se quoque fugit?

Scandit æratas vitiosa naves
Cura nec turmas equitum relinquit,
Ocior cervis et agente nimbos
Ocior Euro.

Lætus in præsens animus, quod ultra est, Oderit curare et amara lento

Temperet risu: nihil est ab omni
Parte beatum.

Abstulit clarum cita mors Achillem,

Longa Tithonum minuit senectus,
Emihi forsan, tibi quod negarit,
Porriget hora.

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