Horace To Maecenas.

How breaks my heart to hear you say     You feel the shadows fall about you!     The gods forefend     That fate, O friend!     I would not, I could not live without you!     You gone, what would become of me,     Your shadow, O beloved Maecenas?     We've shared the mirth--     And sweets of earth--     Let's share the pangs of death between us!     I should not dread Chinaera's breath     Nor any threat of ghost infernal;     Nor fear nor pain     Should part us twain--     For so have willed the powers eternal.     No false allegiance have I sworn,     And, whatsoever fate betide you,     Mine be the part     To cheer your heart--     With loving song to fare beside you!     Love snatched you from the claws of death     And gave you to the grateful city;     The falling tree     That threatened me     Did Fannus turn aside in pity;     With horoscopes so wondrous like,     Why question that we twain shall wander,     As in this land,     So, hand in hand,     Into the life that waiteth yonder?     So to your shrine, O patron mine,     With precious wine and victims fare you;     Poor as I am,     A humble lamb     Must testify what love I bear you.     But to the skies shall sweetly rise     The sacrifice from shrine and heather,     And thither bear     The solemn prayer     That, when we go, we go together!