The Odes/Book II/3

Book II, 2: Money

The Odes Book II, 3: One Ending written by Horace

Book II, 4: Loving A Servant Girl

Translated by A. S. Kline

One Ending       When things are troublesome, always remember, keep an even mind, and in prosperity be careful of too much happiness: since my Dellius, you’re destined to die,   whether you live a life that’s always sad, or reclining, privately, on distant lawns, in one long holiday, take delight in drinking your vintage Falernian.   Why do tall pines, and white poplars, love to merge their branches in the hospitable shadows? Why do the rushing waters labour to hurry along down the winding rivers?   Tell them to bring us the wine, and the perfume, and all-too-brief petals of lovely roses, while the world, and the years, and the dark threads of the three fatal sisters allow.   You’ll leave behind all those meadows you purchased, your house, your estate, yellow Tiber washes, you’ll leave them behind, your heir will own those towering riches you’ve piled so high.   Whether you’re rich, of old Inachus’s line, or live beneath the sky, a pauper, blessed with humble birth, it makes no difference: you’ll be pitiless Orcus’s victim.   We’re all being driven to a single end, all our lots are tossed in the urn, and, sooner or later, they’ll emerge, and seat us in Charon’s boat for eternal exile.   ...