The gravel strews, the jointed stones o'erlays:
Hence, since no more he stumbles home from town,
Hence, of thy road oft brags belated clown.
Come then for many a year, blest birthday, come,
And brighten each year more Messala's home!"—D.
In truth, the lot of Tibullus was fitter to be cast in such peaceful surroundings than in the wars and battlefields of Rome, for empire far renowned. And therefore, with the exception of the sole warlike episode we have noticed, his subjects are mostly peaceful, and the poems, which are the chronicle of his life, pretty equally divided between praise of the country and commemoration of rustic festivals and holidays, and the praises or reproaches which he pours forth to his mistresses; for it does not seem that he exactly parallels his co-mates Catullus and Propertius in exalting his Delia to the same unapproached throne as Lesbia or Cynthia. Still the history of his loves demands quite as distinct a commemoration and illustration as that of those of his fellows; and it will therefore be convenient to reserve it to another chapter, gathering up into this present sketch what little remains to tell of the poet's biography distinct from these. If we may take Ovid's contributions to the record, it will be found in his "Tristia" that the fates allowed them no time for intimacy, but that Tibullus was read and known and popular in the reign of Augustus,—not, however, through any special cultivation of an imperial patron, whom he invariably ignores, though not because he had had no overtures
