Sherry Chandler » Because it is both Lupercalia
Because it is both Lupercalia
and my 60th birthday, I turn to Horace. Like him, I am content enough with my little farm out in the country, beyond the ministrations of boys in goat skins. Here is Ode 1.11:
Please don’t ask to scry the unspoken, Leuconoe,
What end the gods may send,
Not to me, nor to you,
And don’t contend with Babel’s own numbers.
Better thus: Whatever is to be, let be.
If there remain many winters or if
Jupiter now lets forth the last,
Which spends its waves’ force on Etruscan rocks
Opposing. Be wise: strain wine,
Resect long plans for short days.
As we speak, a jealous age has fled.
Pluck the day at hand, it’s as well as may be
Not to trust the one that’s coming.
Translation and bowl by TR Williams. Thanks to Nedda K. Hughes for the birthday roses.
You will find the original Latin and a prose translation here.
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6 Comments
1. Gin replies at 15th February 2005, 7:53 am :
Happy birthday, m’dear. You’ve moved on, but we’ll find common ground again later this year.
2. Georgia replies at 15th February 2005, 9:07 am :
Although you and I graduated from high school together, your readers should know that I was a child prodigy, triple promoted, and thus,finished high school at age fourteen and a half (-: Happy Birthday, my dear friend. Do, indeed, “pluck the day at hand.” How blessed I am to have shared my life’s journey with thee.
3. MW replies at 15th February 2005, 9:23 am :
Happy Birthday!
4. t r williams replies at 15th February 2005, 10:16 am :
Happy birthday my little chicadee.
5. Terry replies at 15th February 2005, 10:54 am :
Happy birthday, Sherry!
6. Anna Lucas replies at 15th February 2005, 9:28 pm :
———-”Trusting as little as possible in tomorrow..” ??! I look forward to 60 because of you and other women like you. Happy-happy birthday, Sherry!
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