ODE XVIII.

TO FAUNUS.

FAUNUS! from whom each Dryad flees, Smile on my sunny fields and trees; Leave my small family at ease,

And free from harm;

So shalt thou have a kid each year, Whilst incense rich thy rites shall cheer, And brimming cups-to Venus dearShall thickly swarm.

1

When glad December's nones' return,
The ground all cattle, joyous, spurn ;
Then every village takes its turn
Of calm repose;

Then wolves inspire no lambs with dread, Then stately groves their foliage shed; O'er the till'd land, with dancing tread,

The rustic goes!

1 The Faunalia were then celebrated.

E

ODE XX.

AD PYRRHUM.

Ne a puella Nearchum dilectum conetur abstrahere.

Non vides quanto moveas periclo,
Pyrrhe, Getulæ catulos leænæ ?
Dura post paulo fugies inaudax

Prolia raptor;

Cum per obstantes juvenum catervas
Ibit, insignem repetens Nearchum :
Grande certamen, tibi præda cedat

Major, an illi.

Interim, dum tu celeres sagittas

Promis, hæc dentes acuit timendos :

Arbiter pugnæ posuisse nudo

Sub pede palmam

Fertur, et leni recreare vento

Sparsum odoratis humerum capillis :

Qualis aut Nireus fuit, aut aquosâ

Raptus ab Idâ.

ODE XX.

TO PYRRHUS.

WITH danger are you overhung
Who rob a lioness of young!

Soon, Pyrrhus, all your nerves unstrung—
The fight you'll flee.

When, through the opposing band of lovers,
Her dear Nearchus she discovers;
Then comes the strife! when victory hovers
"Twixt her and thee.

You snatch keen arrows from your sheath, She, raging, whets her dreadful teeth; Whilst th' umpire treads the victor's wreath

Under his feet,

Careful, alone, to let the air

Sport, playful, with his clustering hair!

Such Ganymede and Nireus were,

In form complete.

ODE XXII.

IN DIANAM.

Ei consecrat pinum villæ suæ.

MONTIUM custos nemorumque virgo, Quæ laborantes utero puellas

Ter vocata audis, adimisque leto,

Diva triformis;

Imminens villæ tua pinus esto, Quam per exactos ego lætus annos

Verris obliquum meditantis ictum

Sanguine donem.

ODE XXII.

TO DIANA.

HAIL! three-form'd goddess of the hills, Thou guardian of the woods and rills! Protecting labouring wives from ills,

When thrice besought;

Sacred to thee shall be the pine

Which overshades this house of mine ;

Stain'd every year by blood of swine

With malice fraught.