1 <br />The twisted rhombs ceased their clamour of accompaniment; <br />The scorched laurel lay in the fire-dust; <br />The moon still declined to descend out of heaven, <br /> <br />But the black ominous owl hoot was audible. <br /> <br />And one raft bears our fates <br />on the veiled lake towards Avernus <br />Sails spread on Cerulean waters, I would shed tears for two; <br />I shall live, if she continue in life, <br />If she dies, I shall go with her. <br />Great Zeus, save the woman, <br />or she will sit before your feet in a veil, and tell <br />out the long list of her troubles. <br /> <br />2 <br />Persephone and Dis, Dis, have mercy upon her, <br />There are enough women in hell, <br />quite enough beautiful women, <br />lope, and Tyro, and Pasiphae, and the formal girls of Achaia, <br />And out of Troad, and from the Campania, <br />Death has his tooth in the lot, <br />Avernus lusts for the lot of them, <br />Beauty is not eternal, no man has perennial fortune, <br />Slow foot, or swift foot, death delays but for a season. <br />My light, light of my eyes, <br />you are escaped from great peril, <br />Go back to Great Dian's dances bearing suitable gifts, <br />Pay up your vow of night watches <br />to Dian goddess of virgins, <br />And unto me also pay debt: <br />The ten nights of your company you have promised me.<br /><br />Ezra Pound<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/homage-to-sextus-propertius-ix/
