C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

To the Duke Alphonso

Begging for a Little Wine to be Sent to his Cell

Col giro omai delle stagioni eterno

Translation of Jeremiah Holmes Wiffen

NOW in the seasons’ ceaseless round, the earth

Pours forth its fruits; the elm sustains with pride

The ripe productions of his fruitful bride,

To whom the smiling suns of spring gave birth;

In luxury now, as though disdaining dearth,

Bursts the black grape; its juice ambrosial flows:

Wherefore so tardy to console my woes?

The rich Falernian sparkles in its mirth!

This with its generous juice the generous fills

With joy, and turns my Lord’s dark cares to bliss:

Not so with mine; but o’er my various ills

It pours the dews of sweet forgetfulness,

Inducing blest repose: ah, let me find

This slight relief, this Lethe of the mind!