The Odes and Carmen Saeculare/Book 3/Part 26

by Quintus Horatius Flaccus

XXVI.

Vixi puellis.

FOR ladies' love I late was fit,
⁠And good success my warfare blest,
But now my arms, my lyre I quit,
⁠And hang them up to rust or rest.
Here, where arising from the sea
⁠Stands Venus, lay the load at last,
Links, crowbars, and artillery,
⁠Threatening all doors that dared be fast.
O Goddess! Cyprus owns thy sway,
⁠And Memphis, far from Thracian snow:
Raise high thy lash, and deal me, pray,
⁠That haughty Chloe just one blow!