of the over-chaste Bellerophon.  He tells how Peleus was like to have been given up to the infernal regions, while out of temperance he avoided the Magnesian Hippolyte:  and the deceiver quotes histories to him, that are lessons for sinning.  In vain; for, heart-whole as yet, he receives his words deafer than the Icarian rocks.  But with regard to you, have a care lest your neighbor Enipeus prove too pleasing.  Though no other person equally skillful to guide the steed, is conspicuous in the course, nor does any one with equal swiftness swim down the Etrurian stream, yet secure your house at the very approach of night, nor look down into the streets at the sound of the doleful pipe; and remain inflexible toward him, though he often upbraid thee with cruelty.

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ODE VIII.

To Maecenas.

O Maecenas, learned in both languages, you wonder what I, a single man, have to do on the calends of March; what these flowers mean, and the censer replete with frankincense, and the coals laid upon the live turf.  I made a vow of a joyous banquet, and a white goat to Bacchus, after having been at the point of death by a blow from a tree.  This day, sacred in the revolving year, shall remove the cork fastened with pitch from that jar, which was set to inhale the smoke in the consulship of Tullus.  Take, my Maecenas, a hundred cups on account of the safety of your friend, and continue the wakeful lamps even to day-light:  all clamor and passion be far away.  Postpone your political cares with regard to the state:  the army of the Dacian Cotison is defeated; the troublesome Mede is quarreling with himself in a horrible [civil] war:  the Cantabrian, our old enemy on the Spanish coast, is subject to us, though conquered by a long-disputed victory:  now, too, the Scythians are preparing to quit the field with their imbent bows.  Neglectful, as a private person, forbear to be too solicitous lest the community in any wise suffer, and joyfully seize the boons of the present hour, and quit serious affairs.

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ODE IX.

To Lydia.

Horace.  As long as I was agreeable to thee, and no other youth more favored was wont to fold his arms around thy snowy neck, I lived happier than the Persian monarch.

Lydia.  As long as thou hadst not a greater flame for any other, nor was Lydia below Chloe [in thine affections], I Lydia, of distinguished fame, flourished more eminent than the Roman Ilia.

Hor.  The Thracian Chloe now commands me, skillful in sweet modulations, and a mistress of the lyre; for whom I would not dread to die, if the fates would spare her, my surviving soul.

LYD.  Calais, the son of the Thurian Ornitus, inflames me with a mutual fire; for whom I would twice endure to die, if the fates would spare my surviving youth.