How breaks my heart to hear you say <br />You feel the shadows fall about you! <br />The gods forefend <br />That fate, O friend! <br />I would not, I could not live without you! <br />You gone, what would become of me, <br />Your shadow, O beloved Maecenas? <br />We've shared the mirth-- <br />And sweets of earth-- <br />Let's share the pangs of death between us! <br /> <br />I should not dread Chinaera's breath <br />Nor any threat of ghost infernal; <br />Nor fear nor pain <br />Should part us twain-- <br />For so have willed the powers eternal. <br />No false allegiance have I sworn, <br />And, whatsoever fate betide you, <br />Mine be the part <br />To cheer your heart-- <br />With loving song to fare beside you! <br /> <br />Love snatched you from the claws of death <br />And gave you to the grateful city; <br />The falling tree <br />That threatened me <br />Did Fannus turn aside in pity; <br />With horoscopes so wondrous like, <br />Why question that we twain shall wander, <br />As in this land, <br />So, hand in hand, <br />Into the life that waiteth yonder? <br /> <br />So to your shrine, O patron mine, <br />With precious wine and victims fare you; <br />Poor as I am, <br />A humble lamb <br />Must testify what love I bear you. <br />But to the skies shall sweetly rise <br />The sacrifice from shrine and heather, <br />And thither bear <br />The solemn prayer <br />That, when we go, we go together!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/horace-to-maecenas/
