POETRY.

THE ANSWER OF Q. HORATIUS FLACCUS TO A ROMAN "ROUND-ROBIN."

(Vide " Sencriroa," November 13.)

Goon friends, you urge my Odes grow trite, And that of worthless station, Of fleeting youth and joy, I write With endless iteration.

But say, in mortals, base or great, Have you a change detected ?

Are they, when victors, less elate, When vanquished, less dejected?

Do they no more in mundane mire For golden garbage scramble? Or, but companioned with the lyre, Up twisting Anio ramble ?

Hath Fortune ceased to prove a jade ?

Hath favour waxed less fickle?

Hath shamed Bellona dropped her blade, Or Death put up his sickle?

Doth age no longer rime the hair ?

Finds Virtue always supper?

Or, when cit. rides, a Knight, doth Care No more bestride the crupper?

Do not the rosy hours wax pale, New loves old loves disherit ; And sleight of golden showers prevail 'Gainst nurse's brazen turret?

Sooth, verbum sap. But then, Jove knows !

Men are not wise, but foolish ; Whether they scan Soracte's snows, Or those near l3allachulish.

Still, still they hug the bestial sty,

And have not changed one wee bit ; lJnpleasing truth, which " Repeti-

Ta decies (non) placebit."

Ask such to share my Sabine meal!

And twine the parsley classic ! For such to break the Manlian seal, And liberate my Massie!

A pretty tale ! Why, ken you not,

Good friends, as lately showed 1, In verse already you've forgot,—

Profanum vulgus odi?

Fair maid, or Minister, I dine, Toast Rome or Alma Venue: When Lydia will not kiss my wine, Why, then, I ask Mmcenas.

For such and self the chords I strike Of wisdom, love, and scorning ; And if the world my themes mislike, Well,—Gentlemen, Good morning!

ALFRED AUSTIN.