Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ODES I, 31. THE POET'S WISH, by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS Poet's Biography First Line: Frae great apollo, poet say Last Line: Quite a' and seek nae mair. Alternate Author Name(s): Horace Subject(s): Scottish Translations | ||||||||
Frae great Apollo, poet, say, What is thy wish, what wadst thou hae When thou bows at his shrine? Not Carse o' Gowrie's fertile field, Nor a' the flocks the Grampians yield, That are baith sleek and fine: Not costly things brought frae afar, As ivory, pearl, and gems; Nor those fair straths that watered are With Tay and Tweed's smooth streams. Which gentily and daintily Eat down the flowery braes; As greatly and quietly They wimple to the seas. Whaetever by his canny fate Is master of a good estate, That can ilk thing afford, Let him enjoy't withouten care, And with the wale of curious fare Cover his ample board. Much dawted by the gods is he Wha to the Indian plain Successfu' ploughs the wally sea And safe returns again, With riches that hitches Him high aboon the rest Of sma' fowk, and a' fowk That are wi' poortith prest. For me I can be well content To eat my bannock on the bent, And kitchen't wi' fresh air; Of lang-kail I can make a feast, And cantily had up my crest, And laugh at dishes rare. Nought frae Apollo I demand, But through a lengthened life My outer fabric firm may stand, And saul clear without strife. May he then but gie then Those blessings for my skair, I'll fairly and squairly Quite a' and seek nae mair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SHADOW OF THE MAGNOLIA by EUGENIO MONTALE IZMIR AT THREE O'CLOCK by TOMAS TRANSTROMER THE HALF-FINISHED HEAVEN by TOMAS TRANSTROMER THE OUTPOST by TOMAS TRANSTROMER WILLIAM AND HELEN by GOTTFRIED AUGUST BURGER THE MORAL FABLES: THE COCK AND THE FOX by AESOP THE MORAL FABLES: THE FOX AND THE WOLF by AESOP THE MORAL FABLES: THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER by AESOP EPODE: 2. THE PRAISES OF A COUNTRY LIFE by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS |
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