most sumptuous description; so that

became a sort of proverb.

ODE XXXVIII.

"Salian banquet "

Stanza 1.

"Nexæ philyrâ." The fibrous rind of the

linden was used to bind chaplets of flowers together.

"Thee, of almighty Jupiter,

And all the Gods, the Messenger,

Thee will I sing, the bending lyre

Who didst with music first inspire,

Thee, ready-witted to conceal

Whate'er, in frolic theft, you steal."

THE

ODES OF HORACE.

BOOK II.

LIBER SECUNDUS.

CARMEN I.

AD ASINIUM POLLIONEM.

MOTUM ex Metello consule civicum,

Bellique causas, et vitia, et modos,

Ludumque Fortunæ, gravesque

Principum amicitias, et arma

Nondum expiatis uncta cruoribus,
Periculosæ plenum opus aleæ,

Tractas; et incedis per ignes
Suppositos cineri doloso.

Paulùm severæ Musa Tragœdiæ
Desit theatris: mox, ubi publicas
Res ordinâris, grande munus

Cecropio repetes cothurno,

BOOK SECOND.

ODE I.

TO ASINIUS POLLIO.

OF civil tumults from the date
Metellus held the consulate,

The causes of the war, the crimes,
The circumstances of the times,
The freaks of Fortune, the intrigues
Of the chief men in fatal leagues,
Our arms, alas! discolour'd o'er
With yet unexpiated gore,

These are the things of which you treat,
A work with fearful risk replete,
And over hidden fires you tread
Beneath deceitful embers spread.

Oh! let the Tragic Muse severe
Leave for awhile the theatre:
And soon as e'er thy patriot cares
Have set aright the state's affairs,
In Cecrops' buskin deck'd anew,
Shalt thou the mighty task pursue,