Reading Horace in Latin

Now that you have read a selection of Horace's Odes in English, it's time to explore some selected poems in Latin. Remember, the goal here is to take the context you learned by reading the entire text and applying that to the Latin to make it more readable. Look out for specific poetic devices as you read as well. Painting of Horace by Giacomo Di Chirico, 1871.

Download Handout

Please download the Lyric Poets: Horace Latin Reading Handout. Fully complete this handout before continuing in the course.

Be sure to contact your instructor for any additional help with the content.

Horace, Ode 3.2 (Liber III, Poem 2)

The text of the poem can be found in the handout, but is also presented below with no notes.

Angustam amice pauperiem pati
robustus acri militia puer
     condiscat et Parthos ferocis
     vexet eques metuendus hasta

vitamque sub divo et trepidis agat               5
in rebus. Illum ex moenibus hosticis
     matrona bellantis tyranni
     prospiciens et adulta virgo

suspiret, eheu, ne rudis agminum
sponsus lacessat regius asperum               10
     tactu leonem, quem cruenta
     per medias rapit ira caedes.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori:
mors et fugacem persequitur virum
     nec parcit inbellis iuventae               15
     poplitibus timidove tergo.

Virtus, repulsae nescia sordidae,
intaminatis fulget honoribus
     nec sumit aut ponit securis
     arbitrio popularis aurae.               20

Virtus, recludens inmeritis mori
caelum, negata temptat iter via
     coetusque volgaris et udam
     spernit humum fugiente pinna.

Est et fideli tuta silentio               25
merces: vetabo, qui Cereris sacrum
     volgarit arcanae, sub isdem
     sit trabibus fragilemque mecum

solvat phaselon; saepe Diespiter neglectus
incesto addidit integrum,               30
     raro antecedentem scelestum
     deservit pede Poena claudo.

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