I


AN ECHO FROM HORACE

_Lusisti est, et edisti, atque bibisti;
Tempus abire, tibi est._

Take away the dancing girls, quench the lights, remove
Golden cups and garlands sere, all the feast; away
Lutes and lyres and Lalage; close the gates, above
Write upon the lintel this; _Time is done for play!
Thou hast had thy fill of love, eaten, drunk; the show
Ends at last, 'twas long enough--time it is to go._

Thou hast played--ah! heart, how long!--past all count were they,
Girls of gold and ivory, bosomed deep, all snow,
Leopard swift, and velvet loined, bronze for hair, wild clay
Turning at a touch to flame, tense as a strung bow.
Cruel as the circling hawk, tame at last as dove,--
Thou hast had thy fill and more than enough of love.

Thou hast eaten; peacock's tongues,--fed thy carp with slaves,--
Nests of Asiatic birds, brought from far Cathay,
Umbrian boars, and mullet roes snatched from stormy waves;
Half thy father's lands have gone one strange meal to pay;