Classic Poem

A cagey and cautious old poet was Quintus
H. Flaccus, a bard of renown,
His metrical traffic, Alcaic and Sapphic,
He sang to the girls of the town.
His oding to Lydia, to Lyde, to Chloë,
Was amorous, fearless, and bold;
Distinctly unchilly his poem to Phyllie,
His verses to Venus uncold.

But license is granted the wearer of laurel;
The poet may publicly burn
For that one or this one, caress one, and kiss one
In print with a rhythmical turn.
Oh, cautious and cagey was Quintus Horatius
How prudent a poet to pen
His metrical missiles to girls, his Epistles
In prose—you remember—to men!