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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ODES I, 20. TO MAECENAS, WITH AN INVITATION by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

First Line: BUT COMMON SABINE ON THE BOARD
Last Line: HAVE TEMPERED, NOR FALERNIAN VINE.

BUT common Sabine on the board
In homely ware you'll find. Yet stored
And sealed in Grecian jar 'twas first,
Dear KNIGHT, what time your praises burst
From the full circus' serried ranks,
And your own Tiber from his banks,
And the great Mount, rang back reply.

No Caecuban like yours have I;
No press of Cales yet for me
Crushed the fat grape. These cups of mine
Neither the hills of Formiae
Have tempered, nor Falernian vine.



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