Page:The works of Horace - Christopher Smart.djvu/24

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6
ODES OF HORACE
book i.

brought down fire into the world. After fire was stolen from the celestial mansions, consumption and a new train of fevers settled upon the earth, and the slow approaching necessity of death, which, till now, was remote, accelerated its pace. Dædalus essayed the empty air with wings not permitted to man. The labor of Hercules broke through Acheron. There is nothing too arduous for mortals to attempt. We aim at heaven[1] itself in our folly; neither do we suffer, by our wickedness, Jupiter to lay aside his revengeful thunderbolts.


ODE IV.

TO SEXTIUS.

Severe winter is melted away beneath the agreeable change of spring[2] and the western breeze; and engines[3] haul down the dry ships. And neither does the cattle any longer delight in the stalls, nor the ploughman in the fireside; nor are the meadows whitened by hoary frosts. Now Cytherean Venus leads off the dance by moonlight; and the comely Graces, in conjunction with the Nymphs, shake the ground with alternate feet; while glowing Vulcan kindles the laborious forges of the Cyclops. Now it is fitting to encircle the shining head either with verdant myrtle, or with such flowers as the relaxed earth produces. Now likewise it is fitting to sacrifice to Faunus[4] in the shady groves, whether he demand a lamb, or be more pleased with a kid.[5] Pale death knocks at the cottages of the poor, and the palaces of kings, with an

  1. Crelum ipsum petimus. In allusion to the fable of the giants. Francis.
  2. According to Vegetius, the seas were unfit for navigation "ex die iii. Id. Novembr. usque in diem vi. Id. Mart." Orelli.
  3. The ancients used to draw their ships on shore during winter. San.
  4. Fannus, he was son to Picus, father to Latinus, and the third king of the aborigines in Latium; who, because he taught the people somewhat of religion and tillage, was accounted a country god. And that rude people might be kept in awe of him, they pictured him with feet of horn, and two horns on his head. Afterward all the gods of the woods went by this name. Watson.
  5. This use of the ablative is common with ritual words; so, "facere," "immolare," are used. Orelli.