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The Elegies of Tibullus - Being the Consolations of a Roman Lover Done in English Verse by 54 BC-19 BC Tibullus
page 46 of 90 (51%)
And graven on that garland evermore,
Her votaries shall read this story told:

_"Tibullus, from a lying love set free,
O Goddess, brings his gift, and asks new grace of thee."_




ELEGY THE ELEVENTH

WAR IS A CRIME


Whoe'er first forged the terror-striking sword,
His own fierce heart had tempered like its blade.
What slaughter followed! Ah! what conflict wild!
What swifter journeys unto darksome death!
But blame not him! Ourselves have madly turned
On one another's breasts that cunning edge
Wherewith he meant mere blood of beast to spill.

Gold makes our crime. No need for plundering war,
When bowls of beech-wood held the frugal feast.
No citadel was seen nor moated wall;
The shepherd chief led home his motley flock,
And slumbered free from care. Would I had lived
In that good, golden time; nor e'er had known
A mob in arms arrayed; nor felt my heart
Throb to the trumpet's call! Now to the wars
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