Horatian Ode
Posted by ted danforth on March 29, 2009, 5:48 pm
189.162.30.108
Horatian Ode: La Manzanilla (Horace, Odes II.xviii) Neither gold nor ivory gleams in my house Nor are Hymettian beams borne on columns Brought from farthest Africa. Nor have I, as Attalus’ heir, Inherited a palace full of Ladies trailing purple gowns. But in me is faithfulness and A gentle genius, and though A poor man, the rich and powerful Are yet proud to call me friend. Nor do I ask men or gods for more Than my blessèd Sabine farm. Day treads upon day, New moons rush to wane. Yet you order marble to be cut While teetering on the edge of the grave And, unmindful of the tomb, Build ostentatious houses Overlooking the sea that thunders On Baiae’s shore, not rich enough already. What matter that you pull up Neighbors’ boundary stakes, Seizing tenant farmers’ land In your greed? Household gods Clutched in arm, man and wife Are driven forth with ragged kids. Yet nothing is more certain Than that greedy Orcus’s hall Is the rich man’s destined home. Why strive for more? The earth Waits for princes’ sons and paupers alike, nor could Charon Be bribed with gold to ferry back Even fiery Prometheus. Tantalus and Tantalus’ son He binds, and the poor laborer, his toils done, he hears— Whether called or not. Translated by Ted Danforth. Hymettus is a mountain near Athens famous for its marble. Attalus was the King of Pergamum who left his kingdom to the people of Rome in his will. Maecenas gave Horace his Sabine farm. Baiae was a Roman resort on the Bay of Naples, preferred by the super-rich. Orcus is the Lord of Underworld. Charon ferried the dead across the River Styx. Tantalus was tantalized by fruit always out of his reach. Horace’s Odes (Books I-III) were published in 23 BC. |
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