Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ODES I, 9. TO THALIARCHUS, by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ODES I, 9. TO THALIARCHUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: One dazzling mass of solid snow
Last Line: From wrist or hand that scarce rebels.
Alternate Author Name(s): Horace
Variant Title(s): Odes I, 9. Socrate
Subject(s): Winter


ONE dazzling mass of solid snow
Soracte stands; the bent woods fret
Beneath their load; and, sharpest-set
With frost, the streams have ceased to flow.

Pile on great faggots and break up
The ice: let influence more benign
Enter with four-years-treasured wine,
Fetched in the ponderous Sabine cup:

Leave to the gods all else. When they
Have once bid rest the winds that war
Over the passionate seas, no more
Gray ash and cypress rock and sway.

Ask not what future suns shall bring.
Count to-day gain, whate'er it chance
To be: nor, young man, scorn the dance,
Nor deem sweet Love an idle thing,

Ere Time thy April youth hath changed
To sourness. Park and public walk
Attract thee now, and whispered talk
At twilight meetings pre-arranged;

Hear now the pretty laugh that tells
In what dim corner lurks thy love;
And snatch a bracelet or a glove
From wrist or hand that scarce rebels.





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