Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) - 2.1.3. lyrics

When he's angry, Cervius threatens law and jury, Canidia the poison that finished off Albucius, Turius a hefty fine if he's the judge in court. All use their strongest weapon to intimidate Those they fear: forceful Nature herself requires it: Doesn't the wolf bare its fangs, the bull toss its horns: How, except by instinct? Trust an elderly mother To wastrel Scaeva: his pious hand won't touch her: No surprise, wolves don't use their paws, or oxen teeth: Honey mixed with fatal hemlock will carry her off! To be brief: whether a tranquil old age awaits me, Or dark-winged d**h comes hovering round me, Rich, poor, in Rome, or banished perhaps, in exile, Whatever the nature of my life, I'll write. ‘Lad, I fear for your life, lest one of your powerful Friends freeze you dead.' Why? When Lucilius dared To scribble the first poems penned in a style like this, Stripping the shining surface in which men strut, Though foul inside, was Laelius troubled by his wit, Or Scipio who won his name at beaten Carthage? Did they grieve for wounded Metellus, Lupus buried By slanderous verses? Yet Lucilius satirised The leading citizens, the people tribe by tribe, Only truly favouring Virtue and her friends. Why, when good Scipio and wise, gentle Laelius, Retired to privacy from life's crowded theatre, They'd talk nonsense with him, relaxing freely, While the cabbage boiled. Whatever I chance to be, However far, in rank or wit, below Lucilius, Envy, reluctantly, must admit I lived among Great men, and trying to bite on something soft She'll sink her teeth in what's solid. Or do you differ Wise Trebatius? ‘No I don't disagree, but still Let me warn you to be careful lest by chance You find trouble through ignorance of the sacred law: If a man trots out false verses, then there are rights And courts of justice.' Yes if they are false: but suppose They are sound and praised by Caesar? If he's snapped At one who deserves disgrace, he himself blameless? ‘The score will be wiped clean, you'll be discharged.'