Well-skilled to aim straight from his paternal bow

The Seric arrows? Who will henceforth deny
That headlong rivers yet may glide to

Loftiest mountains, and Tiber turn back,

When thou devisest for the Iberian arms

To change Panatius', writings, so largely bought, And even the Socratic school, too?

Nobler the promises, once, thou gavest!

XXX.

TO VENUS.

VENUS, great queen of Cnidus and of Paphos,

Leave thy loved Cyprus: to the beauteous temple, Where, with much incense, Glycera invokes thee, Turn thy sweet presence!

With thee the glowing Boy, and, with their girdles Loosed, let the Graces and the Nymphs all hasten; Youth, too, without thee proving so uncourtly,

Mercury also!

F

XXXI.

TO APOLLO.

WHAT asks the poet, seeking Apollo's shrine,

And what implores he, pouring the new-made wine From out its goblet? Not th' abounding

Crops all Sardinia's rich plains surrounding:

Not noble herds in sunny Calabrian fields :

Not golden store, or ivory India yields :

Not meads which Liris' silent waving
Eateth away, with its quiet laving.

The vine of Cales, unto whom Fates assign,

Let them with hook prune; while, from his gold cups,

wine

The wealthy merchant also draineth,

Which he for Syria's wealth obtaineth :

By Gods beloved, having three times or four

Returned in one year from the Atlantic shore,
ME olives meet food render,

Unharmed.

Me, too, the endives and mallows tender.

And all I ask is-that with my present wealth
(Latona's son, grant!) I have my body's health,

And strength of mind: not old age spending

Worthless, and ne'er to the lyre attending!

XXXII.

TO HIS LYRE.

'Tis enjoined. If we idle, 'neath the green shade, With thee produced what this year and longer

Liveth, though trifling,-come, and Latin stanzas,

Barbiton, sound thou!

First by a Lesbian citizen attuned;

Who, though in war fierce, yet 'mid armour glancing,

Or when he fast bound to the wat'ry sea-shore

His betossed vessel,