The Odes and Carmen Saeculare/Book 1/Part 20

by Quintus Horatius Flaccus

XX.

Vile potabis.

NOT large my cups, nor rich my cheer,
This Sabine wine, which erst I seal'd,
That day the applauding theatre
Your welcome peal'd,
Dear knight Mæcenas! as 'twere fain
That your paternal river's banks,
And Vatican, in sportive strain,
Should echo thanks.
For you Calenian grapes are press'd,
And Cæcuban; these cups of mine
Falernum's bounty ne'er has bless'd,
Nor Formian vine.