Translation of Horace Odes III.13

Daniel Golden

Brown University

O fons Bandusiae splendidior vitro
dulci digne mero non sine floribus,
cras donaberis haedo,
cui frons turgida cornibus

primis et venerem et proelia destinat;
frustra: nam gelidos inficiet tibi
rubro sanguine rivos
lascivi suboles gregis.

Te flagrantis atrox hora Caniculae
nescit tangere, tu frigus amabile
fessis vomere tauris
praebes et pecori vago.

fies nobilium tu quoque fontium,
me dicente cavis impositam ilicem
saxis, unde loquaces
lymphae desiliunt tuae.

O fountain of Bandusia, transparent as glass,
Fit for the best wines and freshest flowers,
Tomorrow you shall have a kid
whose swollen brow

Hides growing horns that promise love and slaughter
In vain. Your icy steams shall soon be dyed
With his ruby blood, which sprang
from wild herds.

The inescapable heat of August
Cannot weaken the amiable chill
You give to bulls dragging ploughshares,
to wandering cows.

O, you shall become a famous river
When I’ve told about the oak that stands
Above the riven rocks which hold
your leaping waters.