[ vingt-neuf ]
the snow flees, now the grass returns to the fields
and the foliage to the trees;
the earth changes its state and the decreasing rivers
slide away from the banks.
the grace and the nymphs, with both sisters dare
to lead the dancers naked.
the year and the hour snatch the kind day away, which
reminds us to not hope for immortality.
winter grows mild for the western winds,
spring is crushed by dying summer and in turn
bountiful autumn pours out the fruit
and soon the weak winter returns.
yet swift moons always repair heavenly losses
while when we have descended
from virtuous aeneas, to rich tullus and ancus,
we are dust and shadow.
who knows whether the gods in high may add tomorrow's
time to the total of today?
all who give to a friendly spirit you
will escape the greedy hands of heirs
when one time you will be dead, and minos will
make a glittering judgment down on you,
no family, no eloquence, no piousness,
and persephone never freed hippolytus, indeed
chaste, from the dark underworld
nor does theseus prevail to break
beloved pithous from lethean chains
— ode iv.vii by horace
