Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ODES III, 3. TO VENUS by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

First Line: TIS TRUE, I WAS A STURDY SOLDIER ONCE
Last Line: AND PAY HER WITH A POX!
Subject(s): MYTHOLOGY - CLASSICAL; VENUS (GODDESS);

'TIS true, I was a sturdy soldier once,
And bravely under Cupid's banners fought:
Disbanded now, his service I renounce,
My warlike weapons serve for nought.

Here! take my helmet, sword, and shield,
My bow, my quiver, my artillery;
Chloe has beaten me quite out of th' field,
And leads me in captivity.

Great Venus! thou that know'st what I have been,
How able, and how true a friend to smocks!
Revenge my quarrel on th' imperious quean,
And pay her with a pox!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net