The western breeze is springing up, the ships are in the bay,
And Spring has brought a happy change as Winter melts away;
No more in stall or fire the herd or plowman finds delight,
No longer with the biting frosts the open fields are white.
Our Lady of Lythera now prepares to lead the dance,
While from above the ruddy moon bestows a friendly glance;
The nymphs and comely Graces join with Venus and the choir,
And Vulcan's glowing fancy lightly turns to thoughts of fire.
Now is the time with myrtle green to crown the shining pate,
And with the early blossoms of the spring to decorate;
To sacrifice to Faunus—on whose favor we rely—
A sprightly lamb, mayhap a kid, as he may specify.
Impartially the feet of Death at huts and castles strike—
The influenza carries off the rich and poor alike;
O Sestius! though blest you are beyond the common run,
Life is too short to cherish e'en a distant hope begun.
The Shades and Pluto's mansion follow hard upon la grippe—
Once there you cannot throw at dice or taste the wine you sip,
Nor look on Lycidas, whose beauty you commend,
To whom the girls will presently their courtesies extend.