Rectius vives, Licini, neque altum semper urgendo neque, dum procellas cautus horrescis, nimium premendo litus iniquum. auream quisquis mediocritatem diligit, tutus caret obsoleti sordibus tecti, caret invidenda sobrius aula. saepius ventis agitatur ingens pinus et celsae graviore casu decidunt turres feriuntque summos fulgura montis sperat infestis, metuit secundis alteram sortem bene praeparatum pectus. informis hiemes reducit Iuppiter, idem submovet. non, si male nunc, et olim sic erit: quondam cithara tacentem suscitat Musam neque semper arcum tendit Apollo. rebus angustis animosus atque fortis adpare: sapienter idem contrahes vento nimium secundo turgida vela.
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Text Authorship:
- by Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65 BCE - 8 BCE), no title, appears in Carmina (Odes), in 2. Liber II (Book II), no. 10 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, a translation by M. M. Smith ; composed by Ronald A. Beckett.
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Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (John Conington) , no title
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2020-04-15
Line count: 24
Word count: 91
Licinius, trust a seaman's lore: Steer not too boldly to the deep, Nor, fearing storms, by treacherous shore Too closely creep. Who makes the golden mean his guide, Shuns miser's cabin, foul and dark, Shuns gilded roofs, where pomp and pride Are envy's mark. With fiercer blasts the pine's dim height Is rock'd; proud towers with heavier fall Crash to the ground; and thunders smite The mountains tall. In sadness hope, in gladness fear 'Gainst coming change will fortify Your breast. The storms that Jupiter Sweeps o'er the sky He chases. Why should rain today Bring rain tomorrow? Python's foe Is pleased sometimes his lyre to play, Nor bends his bow. Be brave in trouble; meet distress With dauntless front; but when the gale Too prosperous blows, be wise no less, And shorten sail.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Horace. The Odes and Carmen Saeculare of Horace, translated by John Conington, London, George Bell and Sons, 1882.
Text Authorship:
- by John Conington (1825 - 1869), no title [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65 BCE - 8 BCE), no title, appears in Carmina (Odes), in 2. Liber II (Book II), no. 10
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2020-04-15
Line count: 24
Word count: 134