Rose Leaf and Apple Leaf — At Lanuvium

HORACE, _Odes_, iii.

28. Spring grew to perfect summer in one day, And we lay there among the vines, to gaze Where Circe's isle floats purple, far away Above the golden haze: And on our ears there seemed to rise and fall The burden of an old world song we knew, That sang, "To-day is Neptune's festival, And we, what shall we do?"

Go down brown-armed Campagna maid of mine, And bring again the earthen jar that lies With three years' dust above the mellow wine;

And while the swift day dies, You first shall sing a song of waters blue, Paphos and Cnidos in the summer seas, And one who guides her swan-drawn chariot through The white-shored Cyclades;

And I will take the second turn of song, Of floating tresses in the foam and surge Where Nereid maids about the sea-god throng;

And night shall have her dirge.

1881.