The Odes and Carmen Saeculare/Book 3/Part 28

by Quintus Horatius Flaccus

XXVIII.

Festo quid potius.

NEPTUNE'S feast-day! what should man
Think first of doing? Lyde mine, be bold,
⁠Broach the treasured Cæcuban,
And batter Wisdom in her own stronghold.
⁠Now the noon has pass'd the full,
Yet sure you deem swift Time has made a halt,
⁠Tardy as you are to pull
Old Bibulus' wine-jar from its sleepy vault.
⁠I will take my turn and sing
Neptune and Nereus' train with locks of green;
⁠You shall warble to the string
Latona and her Cynthia's arrowy sheen.

⁠Hers our latest song, who sways
Cnidos and Cyclads, and to Paphos goes
⁠With her swans, on holydays;
Night too shall claim the homage music owes.