May I be doom'd, on desart ground, He said; and Love, on tiptoe near him, Clapp'd his little hands to hear him. The ancients believed, that perjured persons were particularly liable to encounter wild beasts. + It has been supposed, that the passage here, which is rather obscurely expressed in the original, at least to modern apprehensions, alludes to some difficulties, with which the lovers had met, and which had hitherto prevented their union. Solus in Libya, Indiave tosta, Casio veniam obvius leoni.' Hoc ut dixit, Amor, sinistram ut ante, But Acme to the bending youth Just dropping back that rosy mouth, And O my life, my love!' replies, As with a transport doubly true He thrills your Acme's being through!' She said; and Love, on tiptoe near her, Clapp'd his little hands to hear her. At Acme, leviter caput reflectens, Et dulcis pueri ebrios ocellos Illo purpureo ore suaviata, Sic,' inquit, mea vita, Septimille, Huic uno domino usque serviamus, Ut multo mihi major acriorque Ignis mollibus ardet in medullis. Hoc ut dixit, Amor sinistram ut ante, Dextram sternuit approbationem. Favour'd thus by heav'n above, Their lives are one return of love; Is richer than with East and West,- Now who has seen, in Love's subjection, Two more blest in their connection, Or a more entire affection? Nunc ab auspicio bono profecti, Uno in Septimio fidelis Acme Facit delicias libidinesque. Quis ullos homines beatiores Vidit? Quis Venerem auspicatiorem ? HORACE TO PYRRHA. ODE V. LIB. I. PYRRHA, what ardent stripling now, Amidst a world of flow'rs and sweets? For whom are bound thy tresses bright With unconcern so exquisite ? Alas, how oft shall he bewail His fickle stars and faithless gale, QUIS multa gracilis te puer in rosa Perfusus liquidis urget odoribus Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro? Cui flavam religas comam Simplex munditiis? Heu, quoties fidem Mutatosque deos flebit, et aspera And stare with unaccustom'd eyes, When the black winds and waters rise, Poor dazzled fools, who bask beside thee, For me, and for my dangers past, The grateful picture hangs at last Nigris æquora ventis Emirabitur insolens, Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea, Qui semper vacuam, semper amabilem Sperat, nescius auræ Fallacis! Miseri quibus Intentata nites! Me tabula sacer Votiva paries indicat uvida L |