Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LOVES OF HORACE, by ROSELLE MERCIER MONTGOMERY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LOVES OF HORACE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: For which one, horace, did you really care
Last Line: For these fair, many maids was just—in ink!
Subject(s): Horace (65-8 B.c.); Love


FOR which one, Horace, did you really care?
Was it for Pyrrha, of the golden hair,
Or timid, fawn-like Chloe,
Or questioning Leuconoe?
Did light-loved Lydia hold you in her snare?

Did teasing, tameless Myrtale enchain
That roving heart of yours? Did you, in vain,
Sigh for the brightness,
The shining whiteness
Of Glycera enslaving you again?

Was it dear Lalage, who sweetly smiled
And sweetly spoke, your heart, at last, beguiled?
Or was it fixed upon
That nameless, angry one
To whom you wrote those young iambics wild?

Did lovely, low-browed Lycoris allure,
Or high-browed Tyndaris, poetess pure,
Your poet's hear enthrall?
Or—did you love them all?
You were inclusive, Horace—that is sure!

Your commentators know not what to think;
They wonder not you drowned your cares in drink!
But I—a poet—guess
That all your tenderness
For these fair, many maids was just—in ink!





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