English

Rectius vives, Licini — — —

Wouldst thou through life securely glide;
Nor boundless o'er the ocean ride;
Nor ply too near th' insidious shore,
Scar'd at the tempest's threatning roar.
The man, who follows Wisdom's voice,
And makes the GOLDEN MEAN his choice,
Nor plung'd in antique gloomy cells
Midst hoary desolation dwells;
Nor to allure the envious eye
Rears his proud palace to the sky.
The pine, that all the grove transcends,

123 Tuesday, 8 January 1754

Jam protervâ
Fronte petet Lalage maritum.
Hor. [Od. II v 15 16]

The maid whom now you court in vain,
Will quickly run in quest of man.

I.

D O not most fragrant Earl, disclaim
Thy bright, thy reputable Flame,
To Bracegirdle the Brown;
But publickly espouse the Dame,
And say G — D — the Town.

II.

Full many Heroes, fierce and keen,
With Drabs have deeply smitten been,
Although right good Commanders;
Some who with you have Hounslow seen,
And some who've been in Flanders .

III.

Did not base Greber 's P EGG inflame

AD C. SALLUSTIUM CRISPUM

Sallust, I know you of old,
How you hate the sight of gold —
" Idle ingots that encumber
Mother Earth " — I've got your number.

Why is Proculeius known
From Elmira to Malone?
For his money? Don't upse me!
For his love of folks — you get me?

Choke the Rockefeller yen
For the clink of iron men!
Happiness it will not mint us,
Take it from your Uncle Quintus.

Fancy food and wealthy drink
Raise Gehenna with a gink;

124 Saturday, 12 January 1754

Incedis per ignes
Suppositos cineri doloso.
Hor. [Od. II i 7 8]

With heedless feet on fires you go,
That hid in treacherous ashes glow.

ODE 38

T O HIS S LAVE

P ERSIAN grandeur I abhor:
Linden-wreathed crowns, avaunt:
Boy, I bid thee not explore
Woods which latest roses haunt.
Try on naught thy busy craft
Save plain myrtle; so arrayed
Thou shalt fetch, I drain, the draugh!
Fitliest 'neath the scant vine-shade.

I.

From Phaebus, Patron of the lyre,
What does his suppliant bard require?
Not, sure, Sardinia's fertile fields,
Nor all the herds Calabria yields:
Not mines, where gold resplendent glows,
Nor lands, where Liris gently flows.

II.

Let those, who're charm'd with wealth, or state,
Request that they be rich or great:
But an old age with music crown'd,

ODE 28

T O A RCHYIAS

Measurer of earth and ocean and the multitudinous sand,
Scant the grains of tributary dust,
Lack whereof, Archytas, holds thee captive on Apulia's strand.
Vainly in his wisdom did he trust,
Who could journey disembodied o'er the firmament, and stand
At the gates of heaven; for die he must
Perished thus the sire of Pelops, messmate of the gods above:

74 Saturday, 21 July 1753

Insanientis dum sapientiae
Consultus erro.
Hor. [Od. I xxxiv 2 3]

I mist my end, and lost my way,
By crack-brain'd wisdom led astray.

ODE 24

T O V IRGIL

Unshamed , unchecked, for one so dear
We sorrow. Lead the mournful choir,
Melpomene, to whom thy sire
Gave harp, and song-notes liquid-clear!

Sleeps He the sleep that knows no morn?
Oh Honour, oh twin-born with Right
Pure Faith, and Truth that loves the light,
When shall again his like be born?