.'|.|:' I....I ;l !■.!.,., (ff untcll Uniucrsitii ffitbrarg Jlthaca, SJmo llurb BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library arV10644 Across the years/ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924031241940 ACROSS THE YEARS Across the Years BY Charles Ernest Bennett */»■• BOSTON THE STRATFORD COMPANY 1917 Copyright 1917 THE STRATFORD CO., Publishers Boston, Mass., U. S. A. The Alpine Press, Boston, Mass. Wo Jffl. p. FOREWORD THIS little collection of translations and adapta- tions from certain Latin poets had its incep- tion in a series of attempts to arouse in undergraduate students in the classroom some slight sense of the uni- versality of Latin poetry. Prom the point of view of the man behind the desk, the translator has long felt a pressing need of getting away from the conventional and traditional, in the interpretation of Classical authors to those who are entering into companionship with that glorious and delightful family. This notion has been gradually crystallizing into a number of efforts, of which this little volume comprises a part, to render in English verse some of the gems from the Boman bards which have made a special appeal. It will be obvious to the most casual reader that many of these renderings are not "translations" at all; nor do they claim so to be. The author (I cannot now consistently say "translator") is fully aware that he has generously favored the spirit rather than the letter. Whether he has taken liberties with the text which may prove unpardonable is for the reader to decide. C.E.B. Amherst, Massachusetts, April 9, 1917. [vii] CONTENTS Foreword . . vii The Marriage ofPeleus and Thetis ... 1 Pot Luck ........ 21 A Narrow Escape 22 Vision of Death 24 The Simple Life 26 To the Fountain Bandusia 28 To a Light-Fingered Guest 29 Farewell to Love 31 Eeturn to Sirmio 32 "All's Well that Ends Well" . . . .33 "Varium et Mutabile" 35 Love's Mathematics ...... 36 St. Venus' Eve 37 To Chloe 45 Hymn to Diana and Apollo 46 A Flight of Fancy (or better, A Fancy Flight) . 47 Eenunciation 49 Carpe Diem 50 Tarquin's Dream 52 The Interpretation 53 The Vampire 54 Eeflections 56 "Exegi Monumentum" 57 [ix] ACROSS THE YEARS The Marriage of Peleus and Thetis (Catullus, 64) TIS said the pines that erst on Pelion's height Reared their proud heads, o'er Neptune's waves did float To Phasis' floods and proud Aeetes' land, What time that band of chosen youth, the flower Of Argive manhood, seeking to bear away From Colchian realms the wondrous Fleece of Gold, Dared with swift ship to skim the briny sea, Sweeping the deep blue ocean-plains with oars of fir. For them the Goddess who doth hold her seat In topmost city-heights, with her own hand Did frame a car to scud before the breeze, Fitting the close-matched planks of pine to the curv- ing keel. Such was the wondrous craft that first did teach Wild Amphitrite of the sailor's art. Scarce with its prow had it cleft the wind-swept sea, And, vext with oars, the billow gleamed with foam, When from the churn of hoary eddies rose Fair Nereid faces, daughters of the sea, In wonder at the marvel. On that day, [1] ACROSS THE YEARS And none beside, did mortal eyes behold The fair sea-nymphs, with beauteous bodies bare, Breast-deep outstanding from the foaming flood. 'Twas then that Peleus burned with fond desire For Thetis, nor did Thetis look with scorn On mortal wedlock; and e'en Thetis' sire Did set his seal unto their marriage bond. born in that thrice blessed golden age, Ye heroes, hail ! sprung from immortal gods ; Ye noble sons of women, hail again ! You often in my song will I address, And thee, Peleus, pillar of Thessaly, So proudly honoured with the bridal torch, To whom e'en Jupiter himself, sire of the gods, Did yield his love. For was not Thetis thine, Loveliest of Neptune 's lovely daughters she ? And eke the aged Tethys did consent That thou shouldst wed her nursling; yielded too Oceanus, whose waters gird the earth. When in due time the longed-for day had dawned, All Thessaly assembled throngs his home ; The palace teems with a gladsome company. Gifts in their hands they bring, and every face Reflects the joy it feels. Deserted now Stands Cieros; fair Tempe's vale they leave, And Crannon, and Larissa's fortressed walls; [2] ACROSS THE YEARS Pharsalia now the goal of every foot, And neath Pharsalian palace roofs they meet. None tills the soil; the heifer's calloused neck Grows softened ; now no more the trailing vine Is cleared with the curved rake-prongs; the tree no more Yields to the pruner's hook its spreading shade With far-flung branch ; no more the weary steer With deep-set plowshare cleaves the stubborn sod ; But squalid rust steals o'er the abandoned plows. But Peleus' house, where'er its regal halls Unroll their endless vistas to the view, Glistens with gleam of gold and silver sheen ; Rare ivory displays its dazzling white Upon the couches ; golden goblets glint Along the sumptuous boards ; and all the house Gleams gay with royal treasure. In its midst Is set the happy goddess' bridal bed Of polished Indie ivory, and o'erspread With purple tapestry of radiant hue Rich with the royal tint of Tyrian shell. This beauteous drapery, broidered with the forms Of men of other days, with wondrous art Portrays those ancient heroes' glorious deeds. For looking forth from Dia's wave-washed strand. While Theseus flees with swift sail-winged ship, [3] ACROSS THE YEARS Fair Ariadne watches, while her heart With raging passion swells, nor scarce believes What still her eyes behold, as, newly waked From treacherous slumber's thrall, she finds herself Lone and deserted on the lonely shore. But he, unheeding, flees with churning oars, Leaving his perjured vows to the gusty gales. But, dimly far, upon the weed-strewn strand, With tear- wet eyes — a Maenad carved in stone — Stands Minos' child, and gazes all in vain, Her bosom surging with a flood of grief. No longer does the slender snood confine Her golden hair ; no more the filmy veil Her bosom hides ; no more with rounded zone Her swelling breasts are clasped : down fallen all, They scatter hither, thither, and the waves Toss them before her feet. But neither then On fate of snood or floating veil mused she ; But all on thee, false Theseus, did she bend Her heart, her mind, her love-lorn soul. Ah! woeful one, With what unending griefs thou wert distraught E 'er since that day when cruel Theseus sailed From out Piraeus' curving bay, and gained The island palace of the tyrannous king In far Gortyna. For a tale they tell [4] ACROSS THE YEARS How once of old, by cruel plague constrained To expiate Androgeos' impious death, The strength of her young manhood and the flower Of her fair maidens Cecrops' town was wont To send — a feast unto the Minotaur. When thus with ills his narrow 'd walls were vext, Prince Theseus of his own free will proffered To render up his life for his dear town, If so he might abate the cruel tax Of living corpses, borne by the barge of death From Cecrops' land to Crete. So in swift ship By favoring breezes onward borne, he came To haughty Minos and his proud abodes. And straight when him the royal maid beheld With longing glance — she whom the dainty couch, Breathing the balm of Eastern perfumes rare, Once cradled in her mother's soft embrace, Like to the myrtle flowers that grow beside Eurotas' streams, or the many-tinted blooms That open with the springtide's balmy breeze — So turned she not from him her kindling gaze Till through her inmost marrow spread the flame And raged insatiate. Ah ! thou holy boy, Who, hard of heart, dost ever urge men on From misery to madness, mingling woes And joys with careless hand,— thou too, queen [5] ACROSS THE YEARS Of Golgoi and Idalium's leafy groves; On what a surge of woe ye tossed the maid Distraught, and sighing for her fair-haired guest. "What dread she harboured in her fainting soul ! How often, in her dull despair, she went More palely sallow than the sheen of gold, When Theseus, eager to face the monster foe, "Went forth to death or glorious victory. Yet not all fruitless or in vain the gifts She vowed to heaven, as with whispered prayer Her altar flame she kindled. For as when A sturdy oak, that waves its gnarled boughs On Taurus' top, or huge cone-bearing pine With pitchy stem — torn by the wild wind-storm That twists with its blast the mighty trunk — with roots Uptorn, down falls its mighty length, And crushes all beneath it far and wide : — So neath the valiant blows of Theseus fell The cruel Minotaur, tossing in vain His horns to the unresponsive winds. Thence back With high success the Prince retraced his steps, Guiding his errant feet by a slender thread, Lest, as he sought to find his dubious way From out the mazes of the Labyrinth, His aimless wandering might work him woe. [6] ACROSS THE YEARS But why, departing from my earlier theme, Need I relate at further length how she, A daughter, fled her aged father's face, Her sister's arms, her mother's fond embrace, Who with unbounded love was wont to joy In her unhappy daughter — and preferred The love of Theseus to all these ; or how, Borne in his bark, to Dia's foam-white shores She came ; while he, her false and faithless lord, With careless heart departing, left her there, Her eyes with slumber sealed. And oft, 'tis said, Her passionate soul to frenzied madness stung, Shrill cries heart-deep she uttered ; and anon Would sadly scale the rugged cliffs to seek An outlook o'er the vast sea-floods; or now, Raising her clinging garments to her knee, She braved the restless tide that washed the shore ; And in her dire extremity of woe These words she uttered, while the chilling sobs Fell from her tear-wet lips : — "Was it for this, Thou false one — this, false Theseus, thou didst tear Me from my native shores, to leave me here On this deserted strand ? Ah ! is it thus Thou dost depart, unmindful of the gods, Whose majesty thou slightest, bearing home Thy perjured vows ? Alas ! Could nothing bend [7] ACROSS THE YEARS Thy cruel heart ? Hadst thou no pity there, That thy relentless soul might deign to look Upon me with compassion ? For not these The promises that once thy lips did give — Not this it was thou badst my poor heart hope, But joyous bonds of wedded bliss. All these The winds of heaven scatter into naught. Henceforth let none of womankind put trust In oath of man, or hope for faithful vows Prom false mankind. For while their eager mind Strives to attain its end, nothing they fear To swear ; no specious promises they spare. , But when their lustful mind has had its will, Naught reck they then of vows or perjuries. For thee, forsooth, when thou wert all, but whelmed In the maze of death, I rescued, and could brook To see thee slay my brother, so I prove Not false to thee, thou false one, in thy need ! But now, for my reward, I shall be giv'n A prey for beast and carrion-fowl to tear ; No lofty mound shall cover me in death. What tigress bare thee neath some lonely crag ? What sea conceived and spewed thee from its waves? What Syrtis? Scylla? or Charybdis dire, O thou who such a guerdon dost return For thy sweet life ? E 'en though thy heart's desire Were not to wed me, since thou seem'st to dread Thy stern sire's dread decrees, thou might 'st at least [8] ACROSS THE YEARS Have led me with thee to thy home, where I, Thy slave, in willing service would abide, To lave thy snowy feet, or spread for thee Thy couch with purple draperies. "Yet why, Distraught with woe, do I lament in vain To the unresponsive winds, which, void of sense, Nor heed nor answer give to my complaints? But he ere now toils in mid sea, nor aught Of life along this lonely strand appears. Thus in o'erweening scorn in my last hour Doth bitter Fate begrudge to lend her ears Unto my sad lament. Almighty Jove, Would that in olden time those fateful ships From Cecrops' land had never touched our shores; Nor, bearing to the unquelled Minotaur His dreadful toll, had that false mariner E 'er moored to Crete his twisted ropes — that wretch Who neath fair seemings hid his cruel schemes! Ah! would he ne'er a welcome here had found Within our halls ! "For whither shall I turn? Or in what hope find refuge from despair ? To Ida's mountains shall I fly? But no! For stretching far between with wide abyss The angry sea divides us. Can I hope [9] ACROSS THE YEARS A father's aid, whom I of mine own will Abandoned to pursue this youth, befouled With mine own brother's blood? Or can I hope For solace in a husband's faithful love "Who flees me now, bending his yielding oar In the swirling flood? Nor aught of shelter gives This shore, this lonely isle ; e'en o'er the sea No certain pathway of escape appears, But angry waves surround on every side. No way of flight — no hope ; silent is all, And all deserted — all betokens death. "But yet mine eyes shall not be dimmed in death, Nor sense from my worn body take its flight, Till from the gods I seek just recompense For my betrayal, and in my latest hour Heaven's faith implore. Ye dread divinities, Ye who with speedy punishment avenge Men's deeds — daughters of Night, Eumenides, Whose front with hissing serpent locks enwreathed Blazons the wrath your raging bosoms breathe — Come hither! Hither haste! Hear my complaints, That from my inmost heart I needs must pour In helpless passion, blind with frenzied rage. And since from out my very being's core They spring, let not, I pray, my agonies Unheeded fall: but with the selfsame mind As Theseus left me here — with like intent [10] ACROSS THE YEARS May his forgetfulness on him recoil And brings destruction on himself and his !" As from her grief fraught breast these plaints she poured, Seeking requital for his heartless deeds, The King of Heaven in sovereign majesty- Did nod assent — that nod before which earth And the awestruck Ocean trembled, and the stars Were shaken in the glittering firmament. And Theseus now, his faithless mind o'erspread "With dark forgetfulness, from out his heart Let slip the careful mandates which till now He had preserved with steadfast loyalty. For to his sorrowing sire no joyful sign He lifted, to announce his safe return To the harbor of Erechtheus. For 'tis said That ere Aegeus gave to the winds his son To waft afar from the Maiden Goddess' town, These were the mandates with his last embrace He gave the youth : — ' ' precious son of mine, Dearer to me by far than length of days, But late restored to glad my failing years — My son, whom now perforce I must dismiss To doubtful hazards — since my own hard fate And thy impetuous youth tear thee once more [11] ACROSS THE YEARS From thy reluctant sire, whose dimming eyes Not yet have had their fill beholding thee ; Not with rejoicing will I let thee go, Nor will I suffer thee to bear the signs Of prosperous state : but from my heart will pour Pull many a plaint, staining my hoary hairs With dust and ashes. And when this is done, Dark sails I'll hang upon thy swaying mast; For well befits our grief and burning love The canvas darkened with Iberian dye. And yet, if she who keeps Itone's height And of her grace defends Erechtheus' house And all our race, doth grant thee to imbrue Thy hand in that foul monster's blood, then see That these my mandates live inviolate Deep stored within thy unforgetful breast, Nor any time efface them. So when first Thine eyes behold our cliffs, let every yard Put off its garb of death, and snow-white sails Be hoisted by the twisted ropes, that I, So soon as I behold, with gladdened heart May recognize afar the joyful sign That tells thy safe return in prosperous season." These charges, held at first with steadfast heart, From Theseus slipt away, even as clouds Are wafted by the breath of summer winds From the summit of a snow-clad mountain peak. [12] ACROSS THE YEARS And Theseus' sire, distraught with grief and love, Seeking a watch-place on the topmost tower, His anxious eyes with constant weeping dimmed, Soon as his gaze beheld the dun-stain 'd sail Plunged headlong from the summit of the cliff, Deeming his Theseus lost by cruel fate. And so when Theseus, flush 'd with victory, came To his father's house — a house of mourning now — On his own head recoiled the grief that he "With heart forgetful dealt to Minos' child; While she, still gazing toward his vanished sail, Revolved unnumbered cares within her breast. But broidered on another part there came Swift bounding blooming Bacchus, with his train Of Satyrs and Sileni, Nysa-born, Seeking thee, Ariadne, and aflame With love for thee. The while his votaries In mad confusion and with minds aflame Rushed wildly on, to the cry of "Evoe !" And "Evoe!" crying as they tossed their heads. Some waved the wreath-crowned thyrsi ; some did toss The rended limbs of bullocks ; some had bound With writhing snakes their necks, while others bore In state the mystic caskets that concealed From eyes profane the Bacchic mysteries. Others with palms upraised beat on the drums, Or from the burnished cymbals summoned forth [13] ACROSS THE YEARS A martial clangor; while in others' hands The horns blew forth their loud and raucous blasts, And the Phrygian flute droned its horrid wail. Such were the broidered figures that adorned The splendid tapestry, whose clinging folds Covered the happy goddess' bridal bed. When now the wondering youth had had their fill Of eager gazing, they began to yield In favor of the blessed gods. And now, As Zephyrus, roughening with his morning breeze The placid sea, stirs from their sleep the waves, As neath the threshold of the wandering Sun The golden Dawn arises — and at first Slowly they heave, rocked by the gentle breeze, And lightly plash with lilting laughter's sound; But with the freshening wind, thicker they crowd, And gleam in the rosy light as they float away ; — So from the shelter of the royal porch Homeward the folk with wandering feet depart. First of the gods, from Pelion's rugged height With sylvan gifts, Chiron the Centaur came. For all the lovely flowers the meadows bear, Or Thessaly's towering mountain heights, and all That warm Favonius with his kindly breath Summons to life beside the running streams — [14] ACROSS THE YEARS All these in sweet confusion did he bear; And Peleus' house, caressed with soft perfume, Breaks forth in smiles. Then straightway Peneos came Leaving his verdant Tempe, with its fringe Of dusky forest, to the thronging choirs Of lithe Magnesian maids in Doric dance. Nor empty-handed comes he ; for he brings Tall beeches, by their roots uptorn, nor lacks The smooth-stemmed laurel, or the nodding plane, The poplar, and the towering cypress. These In close array he ranges round the house ; And sheltered by the tender foliage, The entrance stands a mass of living green. Next comes Prometheus of the crafty mind, Wearing more lightly with the passing years The traces of his ancient punishment, When from the rugged Scythian crags he hung With fettered limbs. Then came the sire of gods, His consort, and his offspring, save for thee, Phoebus, and thy sister who doth dwell In Idrus' heights. For equally with thee On Peleus did thy sister look with scorn, Nor deigned to honour with her company Fair Thetis' marriage. [15] ACROSS THE YEARS But when these had bent Their limbs along the couches, and the board Was piled with varied viands, in each pause That marked the feast, the aged Parcae sang In strain prophetic, while their palsied frames With tremulous movements swayed. Their tottering limbs In snow-white robes were wrapt, while at their heels A purple border ran ; but naming red The bands that bound each wrinkled brow ; the while Their hands, of custom, plied their endless toil. The left hand held the distaff, wrapped about With soft wool-flocks ; the right now deftly drew The fibres, and with fingers upward turned Shaped them with care, and now with down-turned thumb Twisted the ever lengthening thread, and twirled The spindle, poised by its rounded disc. Anon The biting tooth kept smooth the slender thread, While to their dry lips clung the bitten shreds But now outstanding from the thread they smoothed. Before their feet the soft white fleeces lay In woven osier baskets. As they span, With thin, shrill voices, from their lips divine They poured this song prophetic, which no age To come shall e'er accuse of falsity. [16] ACROSS THE YEARS "Thou sturdy pillar of Emathia's state, Who now thy signal glory dost increase By mighty deeds, and destined yet to be More glorious in thy son — attend the song The Sisters sing thee on this gladsome day. But ye, who shape the web of Destiny, Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "Now Hesperus shall come, and bring to thee Fulfilment of the bridegroom's fond desire; And with that favoring star shall come the bride, To twine her lovely arms about thy neck And charm thy soul with the sway of yielding love. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "No home ere this such loves has sheltered; ne'er Did love unite fond hearts with such a bond As that which joins fair Thetis to her lord, And brings to Peleus now his goddess bride. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "From you shall spring Achilles, who shall know No craven fear, and to his foemen known Not by his back, but by his mighty breast ; And oft victorious in the race, outstrip The flame-swift footsteps of the fleeting doe. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. [17] ACROSS THE YEARS "No hero shall compare with him in war When Phrygian streams shall run with Trojan blood, And when, after long siege of Troy-town's walls, False Pelops' heir shall lay the city waste. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "His acts of prowess and his glorious deeds Shall mothers oft attest, as they perform The last sad rites of their own sons, the while From their bowed heads they tear the hoary locks And beat with feeble hands their withered breasts. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "For as the reaper, mid the dense wheat ears, Mows down the grain-fields yellowing neath the sun, So he, with steel relentless, shall lay low The mighty corpses of the sons of Troy. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "Scamander's waters shall attest his deeds, As swift it rolls to join the Hellespont ; When, choked with weltering heaps of warriors slain, The deep, dark stream runs warm with mingled blood. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. ' ' She too shall know him, who shall be assigned A prey to death, when the high-builded pyre Shall claim the stricken maiden's snowy limbs. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. r is i ACROSS THE YEARS "For soon as ever cruel Fate's decree Shall grant the war-worn sons of Greece to break The Trojan city's wall, by Neptune reared, The lofty tomb shall drink Polyxena's blood, Who, like a victim bowing neath the sword, With fainting limbs shall fall — a headless trunk. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "Haste then to join the fond delights of love; Seal now the happy compact, and bring forth The goddess bride unto her waiting lord. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads. "No more in lonely maiden state shall pine The bride ; no more her anxious mother fear The woes of rending discord for her own, But dream of happy children of her child. Fly, my spindles, fly, drawing the threads." Such were the songs of joyous prophecy The Parcae sang of yore from breast divine. For in those days of old the blessed gods, Ere yet their worship was by mortals spurned, Scorned not to mingle in the homes of men And show themselves to reverent mortal eyes. For e'en the sire of gods would oft descend Again to earth, whene'er on festal days His solemn rites came round, and from his throne [19] ACROSS THE YEAES Within his glorious temple would behold An hundred bulls strewn prone upon the ground. Oft roving Liber, on Parnassus' height, Himself came forth to lead his roving bands Of yelling Thyiads with their tossing hair ; While trooping eagerly from out their town All Delphi joyously acclaimed the god With smoking altars. Oft in the strife of war Mars, or swift Triton's queen, or Vengeance dire Themselves did lead the armed hosts of men. But now, since earth is steeped in lawless crime, And Greed has banished Justice from men's souls,- When brothers dye their hands in brothers' blood; When sons no more the loss of parents mourn, And lustful sires conspire to slay their sons That they may lie in beds of nameless guilt; When mothers dwell in shameless infamy With the unwitting sons themselves have borne, Nor fear to offend their proud ancestral gods — Vext with such deeds in wild confusion wrought, The gods have turned from us their favoring care ; Wherefore no more they deign to gather here In such assemblies, nor to mortal eyes As once of old, appear in light of day. [20] ACROSS THE YEARS Pot Luck (Catullus, 13) RIGHT royally, Fabullus mine, One of these days with me you'll dine, If you'll but bring, when you appear, Fair maid, good wine, fresh wit, good cheer. These, I repeat, if you will bring, Old friend, you'll banquet like a king; For when Catullus' fortune ebbs, His purse is full — of spider webs ! But of true love you'll get a load, And all that's gay and a la mode. I'll give you perfumes for your hair That Cupid's self bestowed my fair. You'll pray, I swear, when you sniff those, The gods may make you one big NOSE ! [21] ACROSS THE YEARS A Narrow Escape (Horace, Odes, II, 13) HE reckoned his Arbor Day Friday, The thirteenth at that, I'll be bound ; At no sort of sacrilege shied he Who planted you here in my ground. Who was it, old stump ? Some assassin, Who knifed one he'd saved from a wreck, Or caused his old granddad to pass in His checks by a twist of his neck ? Some heathen concocter of magic Set up this infernal machine, And timed it, with irony tragic, To fall on mine innocent bean. Us humans can never be certain, Though we try to sift fancy from fact, What hour Pate may ring down the curtain On our poor little vaudeville act. No use to stay home, with the notion That Neptune will spare you his wrath ; You miss a cold grave in the ocean, And slip on the soap in the bath. [22] ACEOSS THE YEARS Dodge War, lest a bullet may dent you — A splinter will land in your eye, Or a brick from a chimney present' you A pass to the Sweet By and By. Orb me, how I missed by an eyebrow A bid to Proserpina's tea, "Where Alcaeus and Sappho the highbrow Give matinee concerts at three. I almost heard Cerberus baying, And witnessed poor Tantalus' toils, And gazed on the Furies, displaying The latest in serpentine coils. Some sight! Just imagine it, can't you? Old Orion the hunter to boot. I'd like to have seen 'em, I grant you, But I don't like the single track route. [23] ACROSS THE YEARS Vision of Death (Horace, Odes, II, 14) OWIPTLY, alas! Postumus, Postumus, ^ Glide by the years in their feverish flight ; Age lingers never, nor heedeth our piety Death in his conquering might. E'en though in hundreds victims thou numberest, Daily thy life from the grave to redeem, Merciless, pitiless, Pluto still mocketh thee, Lord of the turbulent stream. Dark is that stream, yet all shall encounter it, Drawn by a doom unchanging and sure; None shall escape, be he pauper or potentate, Prince or the veriest boor. Vainly we shun grim War with its slaughtering, Vainly the wave and the tempest's wild breath; Vain is our fear of the blight of the eastern wind, Laden with fever and death. [24] ACEOSS THE TEARS Soon to Cocytus, sullenly wandering , Down through the darkness, we too must descend, One with the band ever wearily, hopelessly Toiling with never an end. Lands, home and loved ones, thou must abandon them, Gardens and orchards that gladden thy way ; There shall no trees save the cypress funereal Follow their lord of a day. Worthier heirs thy wines shall be squandering, Carefully guarded with bolt and with bar, Recklessly wasting thy costliest vintages, Flinging thy treasure afar. [25] ACROSS THE YEARS The Simple Life (Horace, Odes, I, 20) OLD friend, don't think that you shall drink Out here your juice of Bacchus : Cheap Sabine wines in earthen steins You'll sip with Uncle Flaccus. That label 1 Pshaw ! It gives eclat When friends inspect my cellar ; But well you may recall the day I set the jug to mellow. Two seats in "A" at matinee I'd saved by wise selection, And gay of heart, with early start We sought our chosen section. As down the aisle in single file We walked with modest bearing, We little knew, we careless two, That all the folk were staring, [26] ACROSS THE TEARS Till all the crowd, with clamor loud, Their stone-carved benches spurning, From tier to tier aroused the cheer That welcomed your returning. # # # * # Then keep, say I, your "Extra Dry" For those of Fortune's favor; No stout Falern or old Sauterne Shall lend my cups a flavor. [27] ACROSS THE YEARS To the Fountain Bandusia (Horace, Odes, III, 13) BANDUSIA 'S fountain, crystal clear, Sweet flowers, and wine of yester-year Shall be thy worthy meed; And with tomorrow's rising morn A firstling kid, whose budding horn Of love and wanton strife doth warn, Shall for thee bleed. In vain his lusty pomp and pride, For with his life-blood's crimson tide Thy waters he shall stain, That still the Dog-Star's withering heat May enter not thy cool retreat, Where cattle quaff thy waters sweet In thirsty train. Thy name shall live, beauteous spring ; All men shall listen while I sing My love and reverence deep. Thy dusky cave, with oaks o'erhung, Thy mossy rocks shall e'er be sung, Whence loud with many a babbling tongue Thy waters leap. [28] ACROSS THE YEARS To a Light-Fingered Guest (with a penchant for Madeira table linen). (Catullus, 12) WHAT for, Marrucin', when you coma my house, and we maka da eat and da drink, You steala my nap ' when I turna my back 1 You call dat a joke ? Wat you tink ? You cheapa da skate, you maka meestak'. You act lik' a beega da fool. You no beliv' me ? Den mebba bimeby you beliva your brodder Paol'. Eef he can bring back what you steal, he will geev a beeg dollar right offa da bat ; He knowa da jok', and he full of da fun, but b'liv' me he no standa dat ! Aha ! I get even ! You no senda back da nap' dat you pinch offa me, I send you tree hondred worse poems as dees ; so geev him back presto! You see ? My nap' ees no worth beega money, I know; I can buy him at John Wanamak' ; But dees one, I like him. For why? He was giv', and I keep him for frensheepa sake. [29] ACROSS THE YEARS My cousin Giusepp' and my frienda Anton', dey send me a dozzen from Spain. I lika my fren' — I lika da nap'. Lik' da nose on your face dat is plain ! [30 J ACROSS THE YEARS Farewell to Love (Horace, Odes, III, 26) WHILE late I lived a slave to Beauty's eyes, No doughtier champion trod the lists of Love ; But now yon wayside shrine that smiles above Pair Venus' image claims my sacrifice. Farewell, my arms, my lyre! Love's warfare o'er, "With sighs I yield ye to Our Lady's care. Lie there, my smouldering torch ! My bar, lie there, Thou terror once of many a close-locked door ! thou in Cyprus' isle who dwell 'st apart, And lands that know no blight of winter's snow, Deal yet, I pray, one little stinging blow, And touch, touch my Chloe's still stubborn heart ! [31] ACROSS THE YEARS Return to Sirmio (Catullus, 31) FAIR Sirmio, of isles and all-but-isles The loveliest gem, whate'er in limpid mere Or boundless Ocean, Neptune 's realms appear — What poignant joy my longing heart beguiles, To see thee now, after the weary miles Of Thynian plains. Dream I ? Or stand I here ? what than care's surcease can be more dear, When wearied minds lay down their load bewhiles, And worn with toil we find our toil's reward, By our own hearth our wonted place to take, And rest on bed long sought, no more to roam ? Hail ! lovely Sirmio ! Joy with thy lord ! Rejoice ! ye waters of the Lydian lake ! Peal forth in laughter, all ye sounds of home ! [32] ACROSS THE YEARS "All's Well that Ends Well" (Horace, Odes, HI, 9) He WHEN I was yo' honey lamb, An' no black coon was twinin' His arms around yo' neck, yo' Sam Des beat de stars a-shinin'." She ""When I with you was all de go, An' not dat hussy Chloe, Miss Lydia Liza Jackson Snow Des simply boiled with joy!" He "Mis' Chloe, she's ma baby now. Sing? Laws! dat gal's a winner! An' play de ole pianner — Wow ! Fo' her I'd lose ma dinner !" She "I'm sweet on Mistah Rastus Brown His ole man rolls in money; [33] ACEOSS THE YEAES An' fo' dat boy I sho' would drown, If I could save ma honey!" He "But would yo' really bounce dat boy An' be mah chickabiddy, If I should shake dat triflin' Chloe, An' take back mah own Liddy?" She "He sho' am han'some, dat 'ar coon, An* you are light as fedder; But if yo' want me, I am you'n — We'll live an' die togedder." [34] ACBOSS THE YEARS "Varium et Mutabile" (Catullus, 70) MY Ladye sayes ther's nonne with whome she'd rather wedde Than me, though e'en Jove's selfe from Heaven soughte her; She sayes, but Womanne's Wordes to eager Lover sedde Wer better writte in Wynde or runnynge "Water. [35] ACROSS THE YEARS Love's Mathematics (Catullus, 5) o LESBIA mine, If life and love be ours one little day, We'll laugh at strait-laced dotards' idle prating, Its foolish worth a single farthing rating — If life and love be ours one little day ! Though suns may set, they sink to rise anew, But once our life's brief light hath found its setting, There falls the Night that brings one long forgetting, Though suns may set, and sink to rise anew. Give me a thousand kisses, Sweet, again A hundred more, the thousand then repeated, A hundred yet, and when the sum's completed, Give me a thousand kisses, Sweet, again. When we have reached our rapturous thousands' end, We'll mix the number, lest we may be knowing, Or envious folk their evil spells be throwing When we have reached our rapturous thousands' end — Lesbia mine ! [36] ACROSS THE YEARS St. Venus' Eve ("Pervigilium Veneris") SOON shall love who knows not loving; who hath loved shall love again. Spring new-born ! Spring comes with singing ! All the world is young with Spring ! Springtime brings fond lovers' meetings; birds in Spring their spousals sing. E'en the woodland flings her tresses wide to greet the bridegroom shower. With the morrow Love's Appointress, neath her shaded sylvan bower Twines her many a verdurous arbor of the tender myrtle spray, For tomorrow Queen Dione high enthroned shall hold her sway. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. She, her flowery jewels strewing o'er the crimson- ing lap of earth, With the Zephyr's genial breezes warms the swell- ing buds to birth ; [37] ACROSS THE YEARS She, our Queen, where'er she passes, showers her gifts with kindly grace, Dropping dews of pearly radiance in the Night- Wind's fragrant trace. Glimmering tear-drops hang a-quiver, poised on every leaf and thorn — Jewelled beads that start and tremble, eager for the coming morn. Star-mist they, from heaven distilling when the night is hushed in sleep, Tenderly the shy buds wooing from their virgin hoods to peep. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. Lo! From out her petalled crimson flames the blush of rose new-born ! 'Tis the Goddess bids her hasten, whispering 'tis her wedding morn. Venus' blood her hue engenders, kisses Cupid's self doth know, Jewels' gleam, and flame of fire, touched with flush of sunrise glow ; Yet tomorrow shall behold her, radiant bride, all shame apart, Open wide the crimson glory hid within her maiden heart. [38] ACROSS THE YEARS Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. 'Tis Her voice that through the greenwood calls her fairy company. In their train a Boy goes dancing, mingling in their maiden glee. "Think ye Love would fare a-joying with his ar- rows in array ? Forth, ye Nymphs ! Love leaves his weapons — Love is keeping holiday ! All unarmed I bade him sally ; naked bade him forth to go, Lest with torch or bow or arrow to the heedless work he woe." Hearken, ye Nymphs, beware him! For is Cupid fair to see, And when naked goes he roving, Love is most in panoply. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. Lo! They come at Venus' sending — maids as pure as thou, I ween : ' ' Single is the boon we crave thee : go thy way, Delian Queen ! Let the blood of slaughtered wild things sully not our sacred glade, [39] ACROSS THE YEARS And untrodden be the flowers smiling neath yon emerald shade. Gladly would She call thee hither, could she bend thy modesty; Gladly would She bid thee welcome, did her rites accord with thee. Then in wonder shouldst thou see them, roving bands from hill and dale, Gathering thrice in nightly revel, ranging through thy woodland vale. Girt with fragrant flowery garlands mid the myrtle bowers they throng ; Ceres lends her gracious presence, Bacchus and the Lord of Song. All the night shall wake with music — midnight shall be turned to-day. Let Dione rule the forest — Delian maiden, go thy way!" Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. High amid the flowers of Hybla bids the Goddess rear her throne ; There with Graces gathered round her shall she make her mandates known. Hybla, lavish all thy blossoms, all the gladsome season bears; [40] ACROSS THE YEARS Hybla, don thy flowery garment, wide as Enna's plainland wears. Hither maids of field and mountain shall the echo- ing summons bring, They who dwell in grove and forest, they who haunt the stream and spring. Thus doth call the Goddess-mother of the elf with wings of dove ; Yet she bids them ne'er to trust him — cruel little naked Love ! Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. With tomorrow comes the dawning of the World's first wedding-day, When from springtime clouds descending, quicken- ing all the year to May, Streamed the rain, the gentle bridegroom, to the bridal lap of earth, Stirring all her mighty being to the wakening throes of birth. Then from dripping dews of heaven and the ocean's crested foam, Rising from the beryl caverns where the strange green sea-things roam, Sprang Dione, wave-engendered, sired by the fruit- ful rain. [41] ACROSS THE YEARS Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. She, Creatress of all being, who with potent, mystic skill, Deep enthroned in flesh and spirit moulds all Nature to her will, Poured her quickening life-tides flooding through the sky and sea and earth, All the wondering world enduing with the new- found ways of birth. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. 'Twas Her hand, her Trojans leading mid the Latins to abide, To her princely Phrygian offspring gave a fair Lau- rentian bride ; Gave to Mars the cloistered virgin, that from out their seed divine Ramnes and Quirites springing should sustain her godlike line Till the race of kingly heroes there with Romulus begun Flower at last in mighty Caesar, glorious sires' more glorious son. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. [42] ACEOSS THE YEARS All the countryside rejoices, touched with Venus' magic spell; Country-born Love's self is reckoned, child of Venus, who, they tell, While the fields to life were breaking, clasped him in her warm embrace, With the soft caress of blossoms nurturing him to strength and grace. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. Lo ! Their spacious flanks reposing neath the broom- corn's plumed fronds, Drowse the bulls in calm contentment, joyous in their nuptial bonds. With their lords in noonday shadow stand the flocks of bleating ewes ; All the throbbing air is vocal with the wild birds' woodland Muse. Now by every pool and river shrill the swans in chorus blent, While from out the poplar's shadow thrills the nightingale's lament, Till the listening world in rapture hears a song of love confest, And forgets the pain that lingers neath the singer's wounded breast. [43] ACEOSS THE YEARS She doth sing. Shall I be silent? When shall come my Spring again ? When, as doth the twittering swallow, shall I lift my joyous strain? For my Muse is lost in silence — Phoebus looks on me no more — E'en as silence doomed Amyclae with the foeman at her door. Soon shall love who knows not loving ; who hath loved shall love again. [44| ACROSS THE YEAES To Chloe (Horace, Odes I, 23) THOU shun'st me, Chloe, like timid fawn that flees To seek its mother on the pathless hill, With foolish fear of every passing breeze That stirs the rustling leaves with whispers still. For if with quivering leaf the bramble shakes Wind-stirred, or neath the brier the lizards dart, Its little frame with sudden terror quakes, And fears unbounded fill its trembling heart. No Afrie lion, I, nor tiger wild, That I should seek to crush thee. Leave, I pray, Thy mother's side, for thou'rt no more a child, But ripe for lover's kisses e'en today. [45] ACROSS THE YEARS Hymn to Diana and Apollo (Horace, Odes, I, 21) SING Diana, tender maidens, Youths, the unshorn Cynthian sing; Hymn Latona in your praises, Deeply loved of Heaven's King. Sing the Queen of stream and forest, Who in Algid 's summit dwells, Dusky pines of Erymanthus, Or in Cragus' verdant dells. Let the praise of beauteous Tempe, Delos, too, your song inspire, Birthplace of our King Apollo, Lord of quiver and of lyre. Lift your prayers that they, averting Famine, plague and war's wild woes From our Caesar and his people, Send them forth upon our foes. [46] ACROSS THE YEARS A Flight of Fancy (or better, A Fancy Flight) (Being a wilful perversion of Horace, Odes, II, 20) SOME day, my friends, you'll see me sail On pinions proud as any eagle ; I'll rise above this tearful vale, No common seagull. Though I be short on pedigree, I, whom you call your friend, Maecenas, No Styx shall sever you from me, And roll between us. Hooray ! The gooseflesh on my shins Is growing, 'less my eyes deceive me, And swansdown on my neck begins — Some bird, believe me! I'll soar above the Bosphorus — Perhaps survey Sahara later — Safer a heap than Icarus, The aviator. [47] ACROSS THE YEARS The heathen Chinks shall gape with awe And roll their eyes at what I'll tell 'em, And he who drinks the reservoir Of ancient Pelham. Then hang no crepe upon my knob : I need no tears that fall in showers, No male quartet, or mourners' sob — Friends omit flowers. [«] ACROSS THE YEARS Renunciation (Catullus, 8) COME, poor Catullus, cease to play the fool, And that thou seest lost set down as lost ; Enough that once the sun shone fair for thee, When thou didst follow where thy loved one led — Aye, loved as none will e 'er be loved again. For then with playful nothings sped the hours So dear to thee, and to the maid, I ween, Not all amiss. Aye, fair thy sun then shone. But now cold is her love ; thyself be cold, Nor chase a dream that flees, nor wretched live, But turn thy heart to stone, live on, endure ! Farewell, my love ! Catullus now is strong, Nor e 'er unbid will seek or ask for thee. But thou shalt grieve when thou art sought no more ! Alas ! thou wretched one, what now is life ? Who now will seek thee, or who deem thee fair ? Whom wilt thou love ? Or who shall call thee his ? But thou, Catullus, steel thy heart, endure! [49] ACROSS THE YEARS Carpe Diem* (Horace, Odes, II, 3) FAIL not to keep, when Troubles sore oppress, A Mind that wavers not in Storm and Stress, And when the Winds of favoring Fortune blow, Tempt not thy Fate by wanton Recklessness. For never canst thou doff thy mortal Shape, Though Sorrow like a Shroud thy Soul may drape, Or if on some sequestered grassy Bank Thou dost make merry with the jocund Grape. Look to the Pine and Poplar, how they shed A grateful coolness o'er thy weary Head, While at thy Feet the fretting Streamlet glides And hurries seaward down its winding Bed. Bring Wine and Perfume hither, where still blows The short-lived blossom of the lovely Rose, While Youth and Fortune have their little Hour, Ere yet the Hand of Fate your Record close. *With apologies to Edw. Fitzgerald. [50] ACROSS THE YEARS Your Villa by the tawny Tiber's wave, Home, Herds and Meadows — all your Heart may crave — Tomorrow, will or nil, you must resign: Your Heir shall spend what you have toiled to save. Whether from Inachus your race you cry, Or poor and nameless linger neath the Sky, Not Wealth nor Birth may stay your destined Hour, Nor ruthless Orcus spare you by and by. Your Life and mine may none save One discern; Your Lot and mine revolve within the Urn. Who knows but soon 'twill mark us for the Bark Bound for that Bourne whence none may e 'er return ? [51] ACROSS THE YEARS Tarquin's Dream (Accius: fragments of the "Brutus.") •TV/HEN to sweet sleep, as night drew on, I W gave My frame, and slumber wrapt my wearied limbs, Methought a shepherd led before my gaze His fleecy flock, a sight surpassing fair ; Wherefrom he chose two rams of kindred blood, And I the fairer of the twain did slay ; "Whereat his fellow straight with threat 'ning head And lowered horns attacked me, and I fell, And as all wounded on the ground I lay, Behold a wondrous portent : for the sun, Leaving his wonted rightward course, did wheel, And backward turn his radiant flaming orb." [52] 'K 1 ACEOSS THE YEARS The Interpretation 'NOW, King, that oft in visions pass before men unawares All their round of daily duties, all their thoughts and hopes and cares; All that in their waking moments they are wont to seek and plan — Marvel not ! But such a portent speaks a power more than man. So beware lest he thou deemest dull of sense, a very sheep, Prove to bear a heart of cunning, fraught with wis- dom dark and deep ; Lest he drive thee from thy kingdom; for the vision thou dost tell Doth portend a mighty rising of thy people. Mark it well; Soon will fall the blow — kind heaven grant it pros- per ! — for the sun Back once more hath turned his coursers and his right- ward track begun. Thus I read the wondrous portent, fraught with joy- ous augury; Thus the Roman state shall prosper, called to glorious destiny!" [53] ACBOSS THE YEARS The Vampire (Horace, Odes, I, 8) /"•OME, Liddy, I've a bone to pick; ^^ 'Fess up, you minx, and tell me truly Why Sybaris is pale and sick, Who once was plump and trim and slick — How did you come to turn the trick That alters him so cruelly ? Why now no more on sunny Pratt Does he delight to show his paces, Who thought it play to doff his hat And do the hundred in ten flat, Or line one out from off his bat That emptied all the bases? Why, shucks! That boy could put the shot Clean o'er the westernmost horizon, And boot the pigskin 'cross the lot ; But now he mopes upon his cot, And shuns Doc Newport's water pot As though 'twere deadly pizen. [54]' ACROSS THE TEARS No more the springboard in the tank Is bent beneath his manly figger. I'd really hate to draw a blank In guessing why, but to be frank, I have a hunch we've you to thank For Sybie 's lack of vigor. Then cease to give him such a dance, "Where'er your idle fancy leads him; He needs athletics, not romance, Not evening clothes, but running pants. Leave him alone — give him a chance; The Amherst track team needs him ! [55 ACROSS THE YEAES Reflections (Ausonius, "Mosella," 225-239) AND as with vying arms their nimble strokes they ply And urge their vessel ever on in steady flight, Lo ! in the wave reflects a self-same comrade crew. With laugh and shout the sailor-lads behold the sight, And marvel at the phantom forms that greet their view. Even as when a laughing child, ere she display Her fresh-combed locks, at careful nurse 's fond behest Within a mirror's shining surface doth behold Her baby face, and laughs in glee at this new play, Thinking she sees an own twin sister mirrored there; And gives sweet kisses to her unresponsive guest, Or clutches at the mirrored pins that bind her hair, Or strives with eager baby fingers to enfold The little dancing curls that cluster round her brow ; — So laugh at Nature's mimicry the sailor crew, And joy in shadowy forms that mingle false and true. [56] ACROSS THE YEARS "Exegi Monumentum" (Horace, Odes, III, 30) BEHOLD the monument my hands have reared To outlast the eternal bronze, and towering high O'ertop the pyramids' majestic pile; Untouched by envious storm, or mad north wind, But ever changeless with the changing years. Not wholly shall I die ! There yet shall be Some remnant of my soul unquenchable, To wing its deathless way triumphantly Down the dim aisles of never-ending time. Long as the aged Pontiff toils his way With silent Vestal, up the sacred hill That crowns our city's heights, I shall be sung; Through countless ages men shall tell my name, As one who, born of low estate, where frets The roaring Aufidus, that barren land Where Daunus ruled his peasant folk of old — First to Italian numbers wed the strains That echo still from Sappho's ringing lyre. Take the proud honor by thy merit won, Melpomene, and of thy gentle grace Crown thou my locks with fadeless Delphic bays. [57] i III illiii !■ )-i : ■■ ! [