HORACE, BOOK II. ODE X. I. RECEIVE, dear friend, the truths I teach, Not always tempt the distant deep, Along the treach'rous shore. II. He, that holds fast the golden mean, And lives contentedly between The little and the great, Feels not the wants, that pinch the poor, Nor plagues, that haunt the rich man's door, Imbitt'ring all his state. III. The tallest pines feel most the pow'r Of wintry blasts; the loftiest tow'r The bolts, that spare the mountain's side, And spread the ruin round. IV. The well inform'd philosopher If Winter bellow from the north, Soon the sweet spring comes dancing forth, And Nature laughs again. V. What if thine Heav'n be overcast, The dark appearance will not last; Expect a brighter sky. The God, that strings the silver bow, VI. If hind'rances obstruct thy way, And let thy strength be seen; AND is this all? Can Reason do no more, Than bid me shun the deep, and dread the shore? The Christian has an art unknown to thee. And, trusting in his God, surmounts them all. THE LILY AND THE ROSE. I. THE nymph must lose her female friend, If more admir'd than she But where will fierce contention end, If flow'rs can disagree? II. Within the garden's peaceful scene Appear'd two lovely foes, Aspiring to the rank of queen, The Lily and the Rose. III. The Rose soon redden'd into rage, Appeal'd to many a poet's page To prove her right to reign. IV. The Lily's height bespoke command, A fair imperial flow'r; She seem'd design'd for Flora's hand, The sceptre of her pow'r. V. This civil bick'ring and debate The goddess chanc'd to hear, Yours is, she said, the nobler hue, VII. Thus, sooth'd and reconcil'd, each seeks The fairest British fair; The seat of empire is her cheeks, They reign united there. |