Classic Poem

Happy the man whom the Gods have graciously held in affection
Yet unborn, whose youth Venus has nursed in her arms.
Phaebus has shaped his eyes, his lips are chiselled by Hermes,
And the signet of might Zeus has impressed on his brow!
What an illustrious fate, what a godlike future awaits him,
Ere the strife has begun gaily his temples are crowned.
Ere he has lived, to him the measure of life is awarded,
Ere he has met with pain Charis has flown to his aid.
Surely the man is great who, by his original instinct
And by Virtue's aid, singly encounters the Fates.
Fortune alone he fails to compel; what Charis denies him,
Jealously holding her hand, valour can never attain.
From whatever is base an earnest will can preserve thee,
All that is worthy the Gods freely and amply bestow.
As thou art loved by thy love, so shower the bounties of Heaven;
Equally Cupid and Jove give partiality rein.
Favourites have the Gods: they love the natural ringlets
Crowning youth, for the gay happiness bring in their wake.
Not unto those who can see do the Gods vouchsafe their appearance;
Their magnificent pomp realize only the blind.
Gladly they light for choice on the mind of innocent childhood,
And to the modest void heavenly notions impart.
Unexpected they come and cheat proud anticipations,
Their spontaneous course no jurisdiction compels.
Straight to the man of his choice the Father of men and Immortals
Sends his eagle down, summoning him to the skies.
Guided alone by his will, from amidst the many he chooses,
And on the brow he prefers twines with affectionate hand
Now the laurel wreath, and anon the fillet of power,
But the Deity crowns only established success.
On the fortunate waits Phaebus, the Pythian hero,
And the compeller of hearts, jovial smiling Amor.
Even the sea for him Poseidon levels, and easy
Glides the keel which bears Caesar and all his success.
Low at his feet the lion lies down, and the arrogant dolphin
Rising out of the sea, piously offers his back.
Blame not the fortunate man that the Gods have aided his triumph,
And that her pet from the fight Venus has hurried away.
Him, whom the Goddess preserves, the favoured of Heaven, I envy,
Not the man she ignores, wrapt in the blindness of night.
Was the renown of Achilles a whit less great that Hephaestus
Forged his ponderous shield, tempered his terrible blade
— That the concerns of man should occupy mighty Olympus?
Rather his fame is enhanced that he was worthy such love,
That it respected his wrath and, willing to add to his glory,
Plunged in the fathomless pit all the selected of Greece.
Blame not beauty because she is beautiful, and without effort,
Thanks to Venus' gifts, fair as the lily-cup shines!
Grant that Fortune is hers, still fortunate thou in beholding!
Is she so easily fair? still thou enjoyest her charms.
Happy thou that the gift of song has descended from Heaven,
And for thee the Bard sings what he learns from the muse!
Quickened himself by the God, a God he becomes to his hearers,
Thanks to his Fortune it is thou canst felicity share.
Guarding the busy exchange, let Themis attend with her balance,
And mete out the reward strictly according to toil;
None but a God can summon delight to the face of a mortal,
Where no miracle works Fortune to none can accrue.
All that is human must first be born, grow fuller, and ripen.
And the improver, Time, cherishes every stage;
But nor Fortune nor Grace canst thou mark as they come into being;
All complete they are, born of Eternity's womb.
Every Venus of earth, like the Venus of heaven, arises,
A mysterious birth, out of the depths of the sea.
Just as Minerva of old came forth equipped in her aegis,
Springs from the Thunderer's head every luminous thought.