Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EPODES: 3. TO MAECENAS by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

First Line: IN TIME TO COME, IF SUCH A CRIME SHOULD BE
Last Line: SHE'LL NEVER KISS YOU I DARE SWEAR.

IN time to come, if such a crime should be
As Parricide, (foul villany!)
A clove of garlic would revenge that evil;
(Rare dish for ploughmen, or the Devil!)
Accursed root! how does it jounce and claw!
It works like ratsbane in my maw.
What witch contriv'd this strat'gem for my breath!
Poison'd at once, and stunk to death;
With this vile juice Medea sure did 'noint
Jason, her love, in every joint;
When untam'd bulls in yokes he led along,
This made his manhood smell so strong:
This gave her dragon venom to his sting,
And set the hag upon the wing.
I burn, I parch, as dry as dust I am,
Such drought on Puglia never came.
Alcides could not bear so much as I,
He oft was wet, but never dry.
Maecenas! do but taste of your own treat,
And what you gave your poet, eat;
Then go to bed, and court your mistress there,
She'll never kiss you I dare swear.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net