Fragment CV: May Jove, the almighty, with his own right hand

May Jove, the almighty, with his own right hand
Guard and uphold this happy town and land,
With all the glorious blessed gods above!
And may the bright Apollo guide and move
My voice and fancy, cunningly to carp
In songs accordant to the pipe and harp!
When, after solemn rites of sacrifice,
At feasts and banquets, freely we devise
Of mirth and pastime; banishing afar
All fears of Persia and her threaten’d war ;
With joyous airy songs of merry verse,
Quaffing and chaunting, “ May we ne’er be worse,”
But better; if a better thing can be,
Than thus to live at ease, cheerful and free ;
While far remote, no fears our thoughts engage,
Of death approaching, or disastrous age.