Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) - 1.4.5. lyrics

When he exhorted me to be thrifty and careful, So as to live in content on what he'd leave me: He'd say: ‘Don't you see how badly young Albius Is doing, how poor Baius is? A clear warning: don't Wilfully squander your birthright.' Or steering me From base love of a who*e: ‘Don't take after Scetan*s.' Or from chasing an adulteress where I might enjoy Free s**: ‘Not nice, Trebonius' name now he's caught: Some wise man can tell you why it's better to seek Or avoid something: it's enough for me that I follow The code our ancestors handed down, and while you Need a guardian I'll keep your reputation and health From harm: then when age has strengthened your body And mind, you can swim free of the float.' With words Such as these he formed the child, whether urging me on If I acted, with ‘You've an authority for doing this,' Pointing to one of the judges the praetor had chosen: Or forbidding it, with ‘Can you really be doubtful Whether it's wrong or harmful, when scandal's ablaze About that man and this?' As a neighbour's funeral scares The sick glutton, and makes him diet, fearful of dying, So tender spirits are often deterred from doing wrong By others' shame. That's why I'm free of whatever vices Bring ruin, though I'm guilty of lesser failings, ones You might pardon. Perhaps growing older will largely Erase even these, or honest friends, or self-reflection: Since when my armchair welcomes me, or a stroll In the portico, alert to myself: ‘It's more honest,' I'll say, ‘if I do that my life will be better: that way I'll Make good friends: what he did wasn't nice: could I ever Unthinkingly do something similar one day?' So I advise myself with my lips tight closed: and when I'm free I toy with my writings. It's one of the minor failings I mentioned: and if it's something you can't accept, A vast crowd of poets will flock to my aid (for we Are by far the majority), and just as the Jews do In Rome, we'll force you to join our congregation!