← Table of contents
The Works of William Cowper

Book 1 — HORACE, BOOK I. ODE IX.

Reading edition

Vides, ut altá stet nive candidum Soracte; . . . . .

Seest thou yon mountain laden with deep snow, The groves beneath their fleecy burden bow, The streams, congeal'd, forget to flow, Come, thaw the cold, and lay a cheerful pile Of fuel on the hearth; Broach the best cask, and make old winter smile With seasonable mirth. This be our part—let Heaven dispose the rest; If Jove command, the winds shall sleep, That now wage war upon the foamy deep, And gentle gales spring from the balmy west. E'en let us shift to-morrow as we may, When to-morrow's pass'd away, We at least shall have to say, We have lived another day; Your auburn locks will soon be silver'd o'er, Old age is at our heels, and youth returns no more.

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

Reading settings