Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO LICINIUS (HORACE PARAPHRASED), by WILLIAM WATSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Licinius, wouldst thou wisely steer Last Line: And timely reef thy sails. Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William Subject(s): Horace (65-8 B.c.); Storms | ||||||||
LICINIUS, wouldst thou wisely steer That barque which is thy soul, Not always trust her without fear Where deep-sea billows roll; Nor, to the sheltered beach too near, Risk shipwreck on the shoal. Who sees in fortune's golden mean All his desires comprised, Midway the cot and court between Hath well his life devised; For riches, hath not envied been, Nor, for their lack, despised. Most rocks the pine that soars afar, When leaves are tempest-whirled. Direst the crash when turrets are In dusty ruin hurled. The thunder loveth best to scar The white brows of the world. The steadfast mind, that to the end Is fortune's victor still, Hath yet a fear, though Fate befriend, A hope, though all seem ill. Jove can at will the winter send, Or call the spring at will. Full oft the darkest day may be Of morrows bright the sire. His bow not everlastingly Apollo bends in ire. At times the silent Muses he Wakes with his dulcet lyre. When stormy narrows round thee roar, Be bold; naught else avails. But when thy canvas swells before Too proudly prospering gales, For once be wise with coward's lore, And timely reef thy sails. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STORM AT HOPTIME by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THERE IS A SOLEMN WIND TONIGHT by KATHERINE MANSFIELD DEWEY AND DANCER by JOSEPHINE MILES MICHAEL IS AFRAID OF THE STORM by GWENDOLYN BROOKS BREACHING THE ROCK by MADELINE DEFREES THE CLOUDS ABOVE THE OCEAN by STEPHEN DOBYNS OF POLITICS, & ART by NORMAN DUBIE |
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