The last stanza in the epilogue of this book reads: 

  Or if we part to meet no more
This side the misty Stygian river,
  Be sure of this:  On yonder shore
Sweet cheer awaiteth such as we—­
  A Sabine pagan’s heaven, O friend—­
And fellowship that knows no end.

Francis Wilson.

January 22, 1896.

TO M.L.  GRAY.

Come, dear old friend, and with us twain
  To calm Digentian groves repair;
The turtle coos his sweet refrain
  And posies are a-blooming there;
And there the romping Sabine girls
Bind myrtle in their lustrous curls.

I know a certain ilex-tree
  Whence leaps a fountain cool and clear. 
Its voices summon you and me;
  Come, let us haste to share its cheer! 
Methinks the rapturous song it sings
Should woo our thoughts from mortal things.

But, good old friend, I charge thee well,
  Watch thou my brother all the while,
Lest some fair Lydia cast her spell
  Round him unschooled in female guile. 
Those damsels have no charms for me;
Guard thou that brother,—­I’ll guard thee!

And, lo, sweet friend! behold this cup,
  Round which the garlands intertwine;
With Massic it is foaming up,
  And we would drink to thee and thine. 
And of the draught thou shalt partake,
Who lov’st us for our father’s sake.

Hark you! from yonder Sabine farm
  Echo the songs of long ago,
With power to soothe and grace to charm
  What ills humanity may know;
With that sweet music in the air,
’T is Love and Summer everywhere.

So, though no grief consumes our lot
  (Since all our lives have been discreet),
Come, in this consecrated spot,
  Let’s see if pagan cheer be sweet. 
Now, then, the songs; but, first, more wine. 
The gods be with you, friends of mine!

E.F.

The Contents of this Book

WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH ROSWELL MARTIN FIELD

To M.L.  Gray E.F. 
An invitation to Maecenas.  Odes, III. 29 E.F. 
Chloris properly rebuked. Odes, III. 15 R.M.F. 
To the fountain of Bandusia.  Odes, III. 13 E.F. 
To the fountain of Bandusia.  R.M.F. 
The preference declared. Odes, I. 38 E.F. 
A Tardy apology.  I. Epode XIV R.M.F. 
A Tardy apology.  II.  E.F. 
To the ship of state.  Odes, I. 14 R.M.F. 
Quitting again.  Odes,