Now for deep draughts of wine! Now let our feet
From dull restraint set free gay measures tread!
Now, comrades, for the gods at length 'tis meet
A banquet rich of Salian fare to spread.

Not ours before old Caecuban to bring
From grandsires' bins, while, on mad schemes intent,
The Capitol in ruins down to fling,
Our empire to destroy the Queen was bent,

Her crew of men polluted with the stain
Of foul disease around, herself unschooled
The boundless course of her wild hopes to rein,
Drunk with sweet fortune. But her frenzy cooled

When scarce one ship of all escaped the flame;
The panic fright to wine of Marea due
Turned to well-founded fear, when Caesar came
Fast plying, while from Italy she flew,

His oars in hot pursuit, as through the air
Hawk chasing timid doves or on the plains
Of snowy Thessaly keen hunter hare,
That he that portent fell might cast in chains.

But she, who on a nobler death her heart
Had fixed, nor womanlike a shuddering face
Turned from the sword, nor with swift fleet did start
To gain on far-off shores a hiding-place.

Her ruined palace with unruffled brow
She dared to visit, nor fierce asps did shrink
To handle, studying with set purposo how
Their deadly poison through her veins to drink.

Yet more defiant when resolved to die,
The cruel galleys of their will with scorn
She baulked. Unqueened, forsooth, in triumph high
Her haughty spirit brooked not to be borne.