Bell's Edition

Oh! fhould these sports be but one year forborne,
Rome would in tears her lov'd diverfion mourn; 345
For that would now a caufe of forrow yield,
Great as the lofs of Cannæ's fatal field.
Such fhows as these were not for us defign'd,

But vig'rous youth to active sports inclin`d.
On beds of roses laid, let us repose,

350

While round our heads refreshing ointment flows;
Our aged limbs we'll bask in Phœbus' rays,
And live this day devoted to our ease.

Early to-day we 'll to the bath repair,

Nor need we now the common cenfure fear;
On festivals it is allow'd no crime

355

To bathe and eat before the ufual time;
But that continu'd would a loathing give,
Nor could you thus a week together live,
For frequent ufe would the delight exclude;
Pleafure's a toil when conftantly purfu'd.

361

THE

UPON

HORACE, LIB. I. ODE XIX.

Mater feva Cupidinum, &c.

I.

BE tyrant Queen of soft desires, With the refiftlefs aid of fprightly wine

And wanton eafe, confpires

To make my heart its peace refign,

And readmit Love's long rejected fires.

For beauteous Glycera I burn,

5

The flames fo long repell'd with double force return: Matchlefs her face appears, and fhines more bright Than polifh'd marble when reflecting light;

Her very coyness warms,

And with a grateful fullennefs she charms;

Each look darts forth a thoufand rays,
Whofe luftre an unwary fight betrays:

My eyeballs swim, and I grow giddy while I gaze.

II.

She comes! fhe comes! fhe rushes in my veins;

At once all Venus enters, and at large she reigns;
Cyprus no more with her abode is bleft;
I am her palace, and her throne my breast.
Of favage Scythian arms no more I write,
Or Parthian archers, who in flying fight,

10

15

20

And make rough war their sport;

Such idle themes no more can move,

Nor any thing but what's of high import;
And what's of high import but love?

Vervain and gums, and the green turf, prepare;
With wine of two years old your cups be fill'd:
After our facrifice and prayer

The goddess may incline her heart to yield.

24

28

THE Life of the Author,

EPISTLES.