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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ODES: III, 13. TO THE FOUNTAIN OF BANDUSIA by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

First Line: O FOUNTAIN OF BANDUSIA!
Last Line: SINGING AND DANCING GO.

O FOUNTAIN of Bandusia!
Whence crystal waters flow.
With garlands gay and wine I'll pay
The sacrifice I owe;
A sportive kid with budding horns
I have, whose crimson blood
Anon shall dye and sanctify
Thy cool and babbling flood.

O fountain of Bandusia!
The Dog-star's hateful spell
No evil brings into the springs
That from thy bosom well;
Here oxen, wearied by the plow,
The roving cattle here
Hasten in quest of certain rest,
And quaff thy gracious cheer.

O fountain of Bandusia!
Ennobled shalt thou be,
For I shall sing the joys that spring
Beneath yon ilex-tree.
Yes, fountain of Bandusia,
Posterity shall know
The cooling brooks that from thy nooks,
Singing and dancing go.



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