Horatii Carmen 1.4

Winter is melting, its bitterness yielding to pleasing, breezy Springtime;

      slow winches drag dry vessels onto water.

And in the stables no longer rejoices a herd, nor ploughman by fire.

      Fields aren’t gleaming white with morning hoarfrost.

Now Cytherea is leading the choruses: Venus under bright moons

      and Nymphs, accompanied by seemly Graces,

thump Earth hard with rhythmical feet, as determined Vulcan goes back

      to work in bright hot forges of the Cyclops.

Now it is fitting to garland your shimmering head with verdant myrtle

      or flowers, which Earth, as it thaws, produces.

Now in the shadowy groves it is fitting to sacrifice to Faunus

      an ewe, if called for, or a kid, if favored.

Colorless Death kicks over the tables of beggars and the towers

      of kings alike. O blessed Sestius, how

 Life's brief span disallows us embarking on limitless endeavors!

      Now night's upon you pressing, now the fabled

Manes, and Pluto's diaphanous House, where as soon as you have entered,

      you neither will cast lots to see who drinks first

nor be able to marvel at slender Lycidas, who incites now

      all youths, and whom soon virgins will be hot for.