Book III.14 of The Odes and Carmen Saeculare of Horace

XIV.

Our Hercules, they told us, Rome,
Had sought the laurel Death bestows:
Now Glory brings him conqueror home
From Spaniard foes.
Proud of her spouse, the imperial fair
Must thank the gods that shield from death;
His sister too:--let matrons wear
The suppliant wreath
For daughters and for sons restored:
Ye youths and damsels newly wed,
Let decent awe restrain each word
Best left unsaid.
This day, true holyday to me,
Shall banish care: I will not fear
Rude broils or bloody death to see,
While Caesar's here.
Quick, boy, the chaplets and the nard,
And wine, that knew the Marsian war,
If roving Spartacus have spared
A single jar.
And bid Nesera come and trill,
Her bright locks bound with careless art:
If her rough porter cross your will,
Why then depart.
Soon palls the taste for noise and fray,
When hair is white and leaves are sere:
How had I fired in life's warm May,
In Plancus' year!

Herculis Ritu.

Herculis ritu modo dictus, o plebs,
morte uenalem petiisse laurum,
Caesar Hispana repetit penatis
victor ab ora.

Vnico gaudens mulier marito 5
prodeat iustis operata sacris
et soror clari ducis et decorae
supplice uitta

uirginum matres iuuenumque nuper
sospitum. Vos, o pueri et puellae ac 10
iam uirum expertae, male nominatis
parcite uerbis.

Hic dies uere mihi festus atras
eximet curas; ego nec tumultum
nec mori per uim metuam tenente 15
Caesare terras.

I, pete unguentum, puer, et coronas
et cadum Marsi memorem duelli,
Spartacum si qua potuit uagantem
fallere testa. 20

Dic et argutae properet Neaerae
murreum nodo cohibere crinem;
si per inuisum mora ianitorem
fiet, abito.

Lenit albescens animos capillus 25
litium et rixae cupidos proteruae;
non ego hoc ferrem calidus iuuenta
consule Planco.

Odes Introduction | Odes Book I | Odes Book II | Odes Book III | Odes Book IV