Poems
HORACE
Ode III.13
To a Fountain
o
thou Bandusian fountain , clearer than crystal is clear,
To whom it is fitting to bring libations of wine
And offerings also of £lowers, tomorrow the chosen
First-born of the £lock, his brow budding
With new little horns foretelling warfare and love,
Will be brought to honor the clearness of your waters.
In vain. The blood of this child of the carefree £lock
Will stain with its color of red your clear cold waters.
The cruel heat of August can find no way
To penetrate the glade to where you are;
Gladly your shady coolness welcomes the oxen
That come here , weary of ploughing, and welcomes as well
The wandering pasturing £lock that finds your waters.
You shall be famous among the famous fountains
Because of my song that praises the ilex tree
Leaning above the rocks the babbling waters leap from.
Ode
I.
23
To Chloe
Chloe, it is as if
You were but a little fawn
Needlessly fearful of every
Smallest breeze that stirs,
Ready to run as far
Away as it possibly can,
Seeking its timid mother
Anywhere but here
