Classic Poem

OF THE NINTH ODE, THIRD BOOK, OF HORACE .

Dialogue between Horace and Lydia.

HORACE .

When no fond rival's favoured arms
With rapture clasped thy snowy charms;
When but to me thy smile was given
It warmed me like the smile of heaven.
Thus blest, I envied not the state
Of Persia's monarch rich and great.

LYDIA .

When Lydia's smile allured thee more
Than Chloe's sweet seducing power,
Then did the cords of love unite
Our hearts in mutual delight;
Then so revered was Lydia's name,
I envied not great Ilia's fame!

HORACE .

The Cressian Chloe now detains
My soul in fascinating chains:
She tunes the harp's melodious strings,
But with much sweeter musick sings:
Could dying snatch my love from death,
How gladly would I yield my breath!

LYDIA .

Me, Calais, to love inspires;
Our bosoms glow with gentlest fires.
In him has every graced combined —
But, oh! what charms adorn his mind!
I twice the pangs of death would bear,
If Fate my Calais would spare!

HORACE .

Say, what if former love aspire,
And glow with an intenser fire?
Say, what if Chloe's charms I spurn —
Will Lydia to my arms return,
And bid the Paphian queen again
Unite us with a stronger chain?

LYDIA .

Though light as cork, your passions reign,
And rougher than the raging main;
Though Calais by far outvies
The great enlightener of the skies;
Yet from his eager love I fly,
To live with you, with you to die!