Classic Poem

Book I. Ode IV.

The sharp Winter is melted in Spring and the West;
From their prison of ice ropes and anchors are free:
Stalls are left by the cattle, and supper undress'd ,
Without blaze of the hearth can with peasants agree.

Venus leads up the dance, as it waits on the Moon,
And with Graces the Nymphs in a wreath are entwin'd;
Let the Myrtle, or Flora's diversify'd boon,
The fair tresses with natural ornaments bind.

Now to Faunus , in deep overshadowing groves,
Let us offer a lamb if no kid is preferr'd;
From the poor to the rich Death impartially roves,
Nor on shadows of life should a thought be conferr'd.

Night will soon draw the curtain, for spirits and shades:
We shall enter old Pluto's deep cavern of gloom;
Where no frolick of Love the chill silence invades,
Nor the mist can be chang'd into Lydia's bloom.