Odes 1.17 (Creech): Velox Amoenum

SWift Faunus oft Lyceum leaves behind,
And to my pleasing Farm retreats;
And from the Summer heats
Defends my Goats, and from the rainy wind.

O're Vales, o're craggy Rocks, and Hills they stray,
Seek flowry Thyme, and safely brouze
And wanton in the boughs;
Nor fear an angry Serpent in the way.

No lurking Venom swells the harmless mould,
The Kids are safe, the tender Lambs
Lie bleating by their Dams,
Nor hear the Evening Wolves grin round the fold.

Soft rural Lays thro every Vally sound;
By low Ustica's purling Spring
The Shepherds pipe and sing,
Whilst from the even Rocks the tunes rebound.

Kind Heaven defends my soft aboads,
I live the Gods peculiar Care,
Secure and free from fear;
My Songs and my Devotion please the Gods.

Here naked Truth, Love, Peace, good Nature reign,
And here to Thee shall Plenty flow,
And all her Riches show
To raise the honor of the quiet Plain.

Here crooked Vales afford a cool retreat;
Or underneath an Arbor's shade
For Love and Pleasure made,
Thou shalt avoid the Dog-Star's raging heat;

And sweetly sing the harmless Wars of Love,
How, chast Penelope's desires,
And wanton Circe's fires
With various heats for one Ulysses strove:

At Noon with Wine the fiery beams asswage
Beneath a shade on beds of Grass;
And take a Chirping glass,
But never drink till Mirth boils up to rage.

Ne're fear thy old Gallant, He's far away,
He shall not see, nor seize, nor tear
Thy Chaplet from thy Hair;
We shall have leisure, and have room to play.