Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

PANEGYRIC OX PISOrange " of good iiiialitic"^ that })leases you. YourOAvn keenness leads the mind to every sort of work,wliether the call has come from graver pursuits, orlighter pursuits are to your fancy ; for the eloquenceof the serious brow does not charm at every seasonnot for ever does the warlike band remain underarms : nor does the trumpet's alarum blare all nightand day : not for ever does the Cretan aim his bow,but, freeing its string, he relaxes its horns : and thesoldier unbinds helmet from head and sword fromflank. Nature herself undergoes alternations, invaried form ordering her courses, unfolding the yearwith the change of the leaf. Not for ever doesether, shrouded in streaming clouds, darken thegolden stars with dreadful rains. Winter flags andin the springtime dries his dripping locks. Springflees before the summer-heats : on summer's heelspresses fruit-bearing autumn, destined to yield tosnow and flood. Yea, the Sire of the Gods storesaway his fiery weapons, and, seeking again thebanquet at the table served by Ganymede, he graspsthe goblet in the right hand wherewith he wieldedthe thunderbolt. 'Tis meet to obey the seasonswhoso has weighed the seasons * with sure weights,he, if war calls him, will be a soldier ; if peace, hewill lay down his arms and his dress will be the gown.Him the law-court in peace, the camp in war willbefit. Happy that day, for all time worthy of song,which, so soon as it gave you the breath of life, conferredon you countless gifts within your breast.A wondrous dignity upholds you in court ; a wondrouswit, when for the moment dignity is dropped. If" Cf. 66 numerosa laude.^ Here tempoia is used in the sense of " the fit times."x2