Poems 1918-21, Including Three Portraits and Four Cantos
to lead Emathian horses afield,

And to name over the census of my chiefs in the Roman camp.

If I have not the faculty, “The bare attempt would be praise-worthy.”

“In things of similar magnitude

the mere will to act is sufficient.”

The primitive ages sang Venus,

the last sings of a tumult,

And I also will sing war when this matter of a girl is exhausted.

I with my beak hauled ashore would proceed in a more stately manner,

My Muse is eager to instruct me in a new gamut, or gambetto,

Up, up my soul, from your lowly cantilation,

put on a timely vigour,

Oh august Pierides! Now for a large-mouthed product.

Thus:

“The Euphrates denies its protection to the Parthian

and apologizes for Crassus,”

And “It is, I think, India which now gives necks to your triumph,”

And so forth, Augustus. “Virgin Arabia shakes in her inmost dwelling.”

If any land shrink into a distant seacoast,

it is a mere postponement of your domination,


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