Page:The works of Horace - Christopher Smart.djvu/48

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ODES OF HORACE.
book i.

by. The south wind, the tempestuous attendant on the setting[1] Orion, has sunk me also in the Illyrian waves. But do not thou, O sailor, malignantly grudge to give a portion of loose sand to my bones and unburied head. So, whatever the east wind shall threaten to the Italian sea, let the Venusinian woods suffer, while you are in safety; and manifold profit, from whatever port it may, come to you by favoring Jove, and Neptune, the defender of consecrated Tarentum. But if you, by chance, make light of[2] committing a crime, which will be hurtful to your innocent posterity, may just laws and haughty retribution await you. I will not be deserted with fruitless prayers; and no expiations[3] shall atone for you. Though you are in haste, you need not tarry long: after having thrice sprinkled the dust over me, you may proceed.


ODE XXIX.

TO ICCIUS.

O Iccius,[4] you now covet the opulent treasures of the Arabians, and are preparing vigorous for a war against the kings of Saba,[5] hitherto unconquered,[6] and are forming chains for the formidable Mede. What barbarian virgin shall be your slave, after you have killed her betrothed husband? What boy from the court shall be made your cup-bearer, with his

  1. Which declines to its setting. The rising and setting of this constellation are usually attended with storms. Virgil calls it aquosum and nimbosum. Torr.
  2. "Parum curas, pro nihilo habes culpam hujusmodi in te admittere." Orelli; who however, reads the sentence interrogatively, which is more animated.
  3. Piaculum signifies both the crime and the sacrifice by which it was expiated. San.
  4. Iccius, a philosopher; he was Agrippa's procurator in Sicily, and by him presented with much land. Watson.
  5. Sabæa, the chief city of Arabia Felix, now called Zibit, where is great store of cinnamon, cassia, frankincense, and myrrh. Watson.
  6. Non antè devictis. We can understand these words only of that part of Arabia called Sabæa, for the Romans had carried their arms into others parts of Arabia under several different generals. Dac.