Classic Poem

One easy favour grant, ye heavenly nine,
Say to Parthenius — is he not your friend? —
" Thine be long life with happy age, and thine.
While Caesar still doth reign, a happy end;
And thou shalt live by envy unmaligned;
Right soon thy babe shall know his father's worth,
If for this modest book a place thou find
Within the holiest chamber on the earth.
Thou know'st when, 'mid the labours of a throne
Our Jove doth pause to rest him of his task,
And beams with kindly glances all his own
To grant the boons that lowly suppliants ask.
Fear not this little client to protect;
Who comes in cedar and in purple dressed
In seemly wise, with ebon bosses decked,
Shall never make an insolent request.
Hold back the purple book and make no sign
That thou hast aught to proffer or submit."
But if I know your lord, ye heavenly nine,
He needs no prompting, but shall ask for it.