ODE XIX.

To Telephus.

How far Codrus, who was not afraid to die for his country, is removed from Inachus, and the race of Aeacus, and the battles also that were fought at sacred Troy—­[these subjects] you descant upon; but at what price we may purchase a hogshead of Chian; who shall warm the water [for bathing]; who finds a house:  and at what hour I am to get rid of these Pelignian colds, you are silent.  Give me, boy, [a bumper] for the new moon in an instant, give me one for midnight, and one for Murena the augur.  Let our goblets be mixed up with three or nine cups, according to every one’s disposition.  The enraptured bard, who delights in the odd-numbered muses, shall call for brimmers thrice three.  Each of the Graces, in conjunction with the naked sisters, fearful of broils, prohibits upward of three.  It is my pleasure to rave; why cease the breathings of the Phrygian flute?  Why is the pipe hung up with the silent lyre?  I hate your niggardly handfuls:  strew roses freely.  Let the envious Lycus hear the jovial noise; and let our fair neighbor, ill-suited to the old Lycus, [hear it.] The ripe Rhode aims at thee, Telephus, smart with thy bushy locks; at thee, bright as the clear evening star; the love of my Glycera slowly consumes me.

* * * * *

ODE XX.

To Pyrrhus.

Do you not perceive, O Pyrrhus, at what hazard yon are taking away the whelps from a Gutulian lioness?  In a little while you, a timorous ravisher, shall fly from the severe engagement, when she shall march through the opposing band of youths, re-demanding her beauteous Nearchus; a grand contest, whether a greater share of booty shall fall to thee or to her!  In the mean time, while you produce your swift arrows, she whets her terrific teeth; while the umpire of the combat is reported to have placed the palm under his naked foot, and refreshed his shoulder, overspread with his perfumed locks, with the gentle breeze:  just such another was Nireus, or he that was ravished from the watery Ida.

* * * * *

ODE XXI.

To his jar.

O thou goodly cask, that wast brought to light at the same time with me in the consulship of Manlius, whether thou containest the occasion of complaint, or jest, or broils and maddening amours, or gentle sleep; under whatever title thou preservest the choice Massic, worthy to be removed on an auspicious day; descend, Corvinus bids me draw the mellowest wine.  He, though he is imbued in the Socratic lectures, will not morosely reject thee.  The virtue even of old Cato is recorded to have been frequently warmed with wine.  Thou appliest a gentle violence to that disposition, which is in general of the rougher cast: