Odes 3.25 (Gladstone): Quo Me, Bacche

Take me, Bacchus, filled with thee,
Where thou wilt: to grove, or grot,
Cavern, or I care not what,
So my theme great Caesar be.

He shall in the welkin shine,
Gain the ear of Jove on high;
I things great and fresh will try,
Spoken by no lips but mine.

So the wakeful Eviad's gaze
Hebrus, Thrace all snowy white,
Rhodope, the mountain height
That barbarians tread, surveys.

I, these groves and shores around
Wandering, praise the Naiad King,
With his Maenads, keen to fling
Toppling ashes to the ground.

Mean and fleeting themes I scout;
But well pleased will face the chance
Liber's praises to advance,
And the wreath, his brows about.