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The
Book of the Native
by
Charles G.D. Roberts
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Three
Good Things
Bona
in terrâ tria inveni,
Ludum, venirem, vinum.
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Three
good things I’ve thanked the Gods for,—
Play, and love, and wine!
So by Tiber sang my poet;—
Would the song were mine!
Yet methinks I would not turn it
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5 |
Just
the Roman way,
But for ludum say read libros,—
Books are more than play!
Through the togaed Latin trembles
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10 |
Laughter
half divine;
Flash the dice beside the column;
Rosy flagons shine.
I, for gleams of yellow Tiber,
Down my garden way
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15 |
See
a water blue and beaming
In the northern day.
Ovid, Meleager, Omar,
In the orchard shade,
With a jug that gurgles gently,
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20 |
| And
a white-armed maid.
Three good things I thank the Gods for,—
Books, and love, and wine:
So, my poet, singing later,
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25 |
| Would
have run your line! |
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