Classic Poem

A TINA boasts you are her son, but here
Oft have you shared my peace and hold it dear.
Guard my twin pines, the glory of the glade,
And the holm-oaks, for Faunus loves their shade;
Here doth the lord of Thunder's altar stand,
Built rudely by my bailiff's rustic hand,
With one to wild Silvanus by its side
Which blood of lamb and kid has often dyed;
Diana rules the little shrine you see,
And Mars is there, his sister's guest, for he
Is patron of my month. Keep this, I pray,
And likewise tender Flora's grove of bay,
Her refuge when Priapus doth pursue;
Pay sacrifice to all in order due,
And when the kindly gods you recompense
With offerings of blood and frankincense,
Speak thus:—‘Though far away doth Martial dwell,
Wherever he may be, he loves you well;
Think he is here to share my pious task,
And grant us both whatever boon we ask’.