Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO Q. H. F., by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Horatius flaccus, b.C. 8 Last Line: Unmatched, unmet, we have not known. Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin Subject(s): Horace (65-8 B.c.); Poetry & Poets | ||||||||
SUGGESTED BY A CHAPTER IN SIR THEODORE MARTIN'S 'HORACE' ('ANCIENT CLASSICS FOR ENGLISH READERS') 'HORATIUS FLACCUS, B.C. 8,' There's not a doubt about the date, -- You're dead and buried: As you observed, the seasons roll; And 'cross the Styx full many a soul Has Charon ferried, Since, mourned of men and Muses nine, They laid you on the Esquiline. And that was centuries ago! You'd think we'd learned enough, I know To help refine us, Since last you trod the Sacred Street, And tacked from mortal fear to meet The bore Crispinus; Or, by your cold Digentia, set The web of winter birding-net. Ours is so far-advanced an age! Sensation tales, a classic stage, Commodious villas! We boast high art, an Albert Hall, Australian meats, and men who call Their sires gorillas! We have a thousand things, you see, Not dreamt in your philosophy. And yet, how strange! Our 'world,' to-day, Tried in the scale, would scarce outweigh Your Roman cronies; Walk in the Park -- you'll seldom fail To find a Sybaris on the rail By Lydia's ponies, Or hap on Barrus, wigged and stayed, Ogling some unsuspecting maid. The great Gargilius, then, behold! His 'long-bow' hunting tales of old Are now but duller; Fair Neobule too! Is not One Hebrus here -- from Aldershot? Aha, you colour! Be wise. There old Canidia sits; No doubt she's tearing you to bits. And look, dyspeptic, brave, and kind, Comes dear Maecenas, half behind Terentia's skirting; Here's Pyrrha, 'golden haired' at will; Prig Damasippus, preaching still; Asterie flirting, -- Radiant, of course. We'll make her black, -- Ask her when Gyges' ship comes back. So with the rest. Who will may trace Behind the new each elder face Defined as clearly; Science proceeds, and man stands still; Our 'world' to-day's as good or ill, -- As cultured (nearly), -- As yours was, Horace! You alone, Unmatched, unmet, we have not known. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ENVY OF OTHER PEOPLE'S POEMS by ROBERT HASS THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AS A SONG by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: TIME IS FILLED by LYN HEJINIAN OXOTA: A SHORT RUSSIAN NOVEL: CHAPTER 192 by LYN HEJINIAN LET ME TELL YOU WHAT A POEM BRINGS by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JUNE JOURNALS 6/25/88 by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA FOLLOW ROZEWICZ by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA HAVING INTENDED TO MERELY PICK ON AN OIL COMPANY, THE POEM GOES AWRY by HICOK. BOB A FANCY FROM FONTENELLE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
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