Living
Odes 1.11: Tu Ne Quaesieris
Translated by John Conington (3rd ed., before 1869) · From Odes, Book I
Ask not ('tis forbidden knowledge), what our destined term of years,
Mine and yours; nor scan the tables of your Babylonish seers.
Better far to bear the future, my Leuconoe, like the past,
Whether Jove has many winters yet to give, or this our last;
THIS, that makes the Tyrrhene billows spend their strength against
the shore.
Strain your wine and prove your wisdom; life is short; should hope
be more?
In the moment of our talking, envious time has ebb'd away.
Seize the present; trust to-morrow e'en as little as you may.
Cite this poem
MLA
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus). “Odes 1.11: Tu Ne Quaesieris.” Translated by John Conington. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/horace/10/.
Chicago
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus). “Odes 1.11: Tu Ne Quaesieris.” Translated by John Conington. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/horace/10/.
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