Classic Poem

LIB II. Ode VI.—THE ATTRACTIONS OF TIBUR AND TARENTUM .

S EPTIMIUS , pledged with me to roam
Far as the fierce I BERIAN'S home,
Where men abide not yet o'ercome
By Roman legions,
And M AURITANIAN billows foam—
Barbaric regions!

T IBUR !—sweet colony of Greece!—
There let my devious wanderings cease:—
There would I wait old age in peace,
There calmly dwelling,
A truce to war!—a long release
From “colonelling!”

Whence to go forth should Fate ordain,
Galesus, gentle flood! thy plain
Speckled with sheep—might yet remain
For heaven to grant us;
Land that once knew the halcyon reign
Of King Phalantus.

Spot of all earth most dear to me!
Teeming with sweets! the Attic bee,
O'er Mount Hymettus ranging free,
Finds not such honey—
Nor basks the Capuan olive-tree
In soil more sunny.

There lingering Spring is longest found;
E'en Winter's breath is mild;—and round
Delicious Aulon grapes abound,
In mellow cluster!
Such as Falernum's richest ground
Can rarely muster.

Romantic towers! thrice happy scene!
There might our days glide on serene;
Till thou bedew with tears, I ween,
Of love sincerest,
The dust of him who once had been
Thy friend, the Lyrist!