BOOK III. ODE IX. _Horace and Lydia._

_Hor._ While I was lovely in thine eye,

And while no soft embrace but mine

Encircled thy fair ivory neck,

I did the Persian King outshine.

_Lyd._ While Horace was an honest lad,

And Chloe less than Lydia lov'd,

Lydia was then a matchless Lass,

And in a sphere 'bove Ilia mov'd.

_Hor._ But Chloe now has vanquish'd me,

That lute and voice who could deny? 10

Methinks might I but save her life,

I could myself even dare to die.

_Lyd._ Young Calais is my gallant,

He burns me with his flaming eye;

To save the pretty villain's life,

Twice over I could dare to die.

_Hor._ But say I Lydia lov'd again,

And would new-braze Love's broken chain?

Say I should turn my Chloe off,

And take poor Lydia home again? 20

_Lyd._ Why then though he a fixèd star.

Thou lighter than a cork shouldst be,

Mad, and unquiet as the sea,

Yet would I live, and die with thee.

Minor Poets of the Caroline Period, Vol. III · 第 3 / 15 章