The ivy-wreath encircled round my brows, If nor Euterpe sweet her pipe restrains, My verse should soft in Lesbian measure flow, Almost immortal, to the gods I tower. H LIBER III-CARMEN XI. AD MERCURIUM. MERCURI (nam te docilis magistro (Nec loquax olim neque grata, nunc et Divitum mensis et amica templis) Dic modos, Lyde quibus obstinatas Quæ velut latis equa trima campis Ludit exsultim metuitque tangi, Nuptiarum expers et adhuc protervo Cruda marito. Tu potes tigres comitesque silvas Ducere et rivos celeres morari; Cessit immanis tibi blandienti Janitor aulæ BOOK III.-ODE XI. TO MERCURY. O Mercury! (for by thy teaching skilled, Amphion moved the rocks by music's sound): And thou, oh Lyre! with sweetest concord fill'd, Shed from seven strings around, (Awhile nor eloquent, nor sought, but now To rich-spread feasts and sacred temples dear), Breathe forth sweet strains, to which shall Lydé bow Her long-reluctant ear. The woods and savage beasts by thee are led,Thou know'st the rivers in their course to stay, Couched at thy soothing tones, Hell's porter dread, Submissive Cerb'rus lay. Cerberus, quamvis furiale centum Quin et Ixion Tityosque vultu Risit invito; stetit urna paulum Sicca, dum grato Danai puellas Carmine mulces. Audiat Lyde scelus atque notas Virginum pœnas et inane lymphæ Dolium fundo pereuntis imo Seraque fata, Quæ manent culpas etiam sub Orco. Impiæ, (nam quid potuere majus ?) Impiæ sponsos potuere duro Perdere ferro. Una de multis face nuptiali Digna perjurum fuit in parentem Though hundred snakes his horrid head enfold, And endless twining wreathe their slimy scales, Though from his three-tongued mouth dark gore is roll'd, And pestilence exhales. Huge Tityos and Ixion writhing bound, wet, As Danaus' daughters, lulled by dulcet sound, Let Lydé hear the cruel virgins' deeds, Which wait on crime by Fate's severe behest: From all the virgins one alone was found |