good call, horace

To a Jar of Massic Wine

Corvinus has called for a mellower wine, therefore,
O virtuous jar, born the same year as I,
In the consulship of Manlius, appear,
Descend, bring forth whatever there may be,

Laughter, or quarrelsomeness, sleepiness, or the complaints
Of dejected lovers, whatever it happens to be
The grapes were gathered for to make this Massic,
Mature to be just right for some special occasion.

Soaked in serious studies though he be,
Corvinus is not averse to the pleasure of wine.
Old Cato the stern and righteous, it's said, was accustomed
To use this pleasant means to warm himself up.

Your gentle discipline encourages
The dull to be less dull than usual,
And Bacchus, joyful Deliverer, reveals
What the sober wise man really meant to say.

You bring back hope to the despairing heart
And you give courage to the poor man, so
He's neither scared of tyrants in their crowns
Nor soldiers brandishing their scary weapons.

Bacchus attends thee, and Venus, if she's willing,
And torchlight, and the Graces dancing together,
Until the moment the returning sun
Puts all the stars to flight, and the party's over.

--Horace