Vulcan! hear your glorious task;

I did not from your labors ask

In gorgeous panoply to shine,

For war was ne'er a sport of mine.

No—let me have a silver bowl,

Where I may cradle all my soul;

But mind that, o'er its simple frame

No mimic constellations flame;

Nor grave upon the swelling side,

Orion, scowling o'er the tide.

I care not for the glittering wain,

Nor yet the weeping sister train.

But let the vine luxuriant roll

Its blushing tendrils round the bowl,

While many a rose-lipped bacchant maid

Is culling clusters in their shade.

Let sylvan gods, in antic shapes,

Wildly press the gushing grapes,

And flights of Loves, in wanton play,

Wing through the air their winding way;

While Venus, from her arbor green,

Looks laughing at the joyous scene,

And young Lyaeus by her side

Sits, worthy of so bright a bride.

[1] This ode, Aulus Gellius tells us, was performed at an entertainment where he was present.