Three Good Things

Bona in terrâ tria inveni, Ludum, venerem, vinum.

Three good things I’ve thanked the Gods for,--
Play, and love, and wine!
So by Tiber sang my poet;--
Would the song were mine!

Yet methinks I would not turn it
Just the Roman way,
But for ludum say read libros,--
Books are more than play!

Through the togaed Latin trembles
Laughter half divine;
Flash the dice beside the column;
Rosy flagons shine.

I, for gleams of yellow Tiber,
Down my garden way
See a water blue and beaming
In the northern day.

Ovid, Meleager, Omar,
In the orchard shade,
With a jug that gurgles gently,
And a white-armed maid.

Three good things I thank the Gods for,--
Books, and love, and wine:
So, my poet, singing later,
Would have run your line!