The Odes/Book II/6

Book II, 5: Be Patient

The Odes Book II, 6: Tibur and Tarentum written by Horace

Book II, 7: A Friend Home From the Wars

Translated by A. S. Kline Latin original text - French Ulysse de Séguier's translation

Tibur and Tarentum       Septimus, you, who are prepared to visit Cadiz with me, and its tribes (they’re not used to bearing our yoke) and barbarous Syrtes, by the Moors’ fierce Sea,   I’d rather Tibur, founded by men of Greece, were my home when I’m old, let it be my goal, when I’m tired of the seas, and the roads, and all this endless fighting.   But if the cruel Fates deny me that place, I’ll head for the river Galaesus, sweet with its precious sheep, on Spartan fields, once ruled by King Phalanthus.   That corner of earth is the brightest to me, where the honey gives nothing away to that of Hymettus, and its olives compete with green Venafrum:   where Jupiter grants a lengthy spring, and mild winters, and Aulon’s hill-slopes, dear to fertile Bacchus, are filled with least envy for those rich grapes of Falernum.   That place, and its lovely heights, call out to me, to you: and there’ll you’ll scatter your debt of sad tears, over the still-glowing ashes of this, the poet, your friend.   ...