Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ODES IV, 10. TO LIGURINUS, A BEAUTEOUS YOUTH by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS

First Line: TIS TRUE, THOU YET ART FAIR, MY LIGURINE
Last Line: WHY AM I OLD? OR WHY WAS EVER YOUNG?
Subject(s): BEAUTY; OLD AGE; YOUTH;
'TIS true, thou yet art fair, my Ligurine,
No down as yet environs cheek or chin:
But when those hairs which now do flow, shall fall,
And when thy rosy cheeks turn wan and pale:
When in thy glass another Ligurine thou
Shalt spy, and scarce thy bearded self shalt know;
Then thou (despis'd) shalt sing this piteous song;
Why am I old? or why was ever young?



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