Est mihi nonum superantis annum 

plenus Albani cadus, est in horto,

Phylli, nectendis apium coronis,

est hederae vis

multa, qua crinis religata fulges, 

ridet argento domus, ara castis

vincta verbenis avet immolato

spargier agno;

cuncta festinat manus, huc et illuc

cursitant mixtae pueris puellae, 

sordidum flammae trepidant rotantes

vertice fumum.

Ut tamen noris quibus advoceris

gaudiis, Idus tibi sunt agendae,

qui dies mensem Veneris marinae 

findit Aprilem,

iure sollemnis mihi sanctiorque

paene natali proprio, quod ex hac

luce Maecenas meus affluentis 

ordinat annos.

Telephum, quem tu petis, occupavit\

non tuae sortis iuvenem puella

dives et lasciva tenetque grata\

compede vinctum.

Terret ambustus Phaethon avaras 

spes et exemplum grave praebet ales

Pegasus terrenum equitem gravatus

Bellerophontem,

semper ut te digna sequare et ultra\

quam licet sperare nefas putando 

disparem vites. Age iam, meorum 

Finis amorum

(non enim posthac alia calebo

femina), condisce modos, amanda

voce quos reddas; minuentur atrae 

carmine curae.

This jar of wine is more than full

By nine years since Alba Longa, 

Phyllis; if it pleases you, parsley 

Wreathes and ivy 

In the garden wait to coronate 

You; the villa’s sly complexion –

Vervain-silver – seeks but a

Sliver of lamb’s

Blood; and mucking about, the

Mixed race frills and thrills give

Chase to round out the fire of

The smoke-spire. 

These revels mark the Ides of

April, cleave that month in half

Where Venus wets her trough

And waits for

Dedications, brought forth by

Me most properly; a day to

Mirror my own birth! Most holy…

Ask Maecenas. 

Telephus, so young and blonde,

Was not in bondage right for

You: too highborn; chained in

Fortune’s fur by

Chance and other debutantes. 

If Pegasus was struggling – 

Beleaguered by Phaeton’s demise

And ridden by

The mass appeal Bellerophone

Is known for – I’d beg she buck

The striving, call her Hope and tell

Her keep above

Eye-level out of mind. I’d love

For you to be the last to light my

Darkling verses, raise this clamour

To a chamber.