Odes and Carmen Saeculare — Book III - XIII - O Fons Bandusiae

O FONS BANDUSIAE.

Bandusia's fount, in clearness crystalline, O worthy of the wine, the flowers we vow!

To-morrow shall be thine A kid, whose crescent brow Is sprouting all for love and victory.

In vain: his warm red blood, so early stirr'd, Thy gelid stream shall dye, Child of the wanton herd.

Thee the fierce Sirian star, to madness fired, Forbears to touch: sweet cool thy waters yield To ox with ploughing tired, And lazy sheep afield.

Thou too one day shalt win proud eminence 'Mid honour'd founts, while I the ilex sing Crowning the cavern, whence Thy babbling wavelets spring.