Epistularum Q. Horatii Flacci
Liber Primus

Epistula XIII

This epistle was undoubtedly intended to accompany some production of the poet sent to Augustus, though it is in form addressed to the messenger. There is in the tone an extreme diffidence and fear of boring the foremost man of the world, which gives a hint at the reason why Horace so long declined to address any of his works to the emperor. Cf. Ep. II.1. Introd.

   XIII. Vt proficiscentem docui te saepe diuque,
Augusto reddes signata volumina, Vini,
si validus, si laetus erit, si denique poscet;
ne studio nostri pecces, odiumque libellis
sedulus importes opera vehemente minister.
Si te forte meae gravis uret sarcina chartae,
abicito potius quam, quo perferre iuberis,
clitellas ferus impingas Asinaeque paternum
cognomen vertas in risum et fabula fias.
Viribus uteris per clivos, flumina, lamas;
victor propositi simul ac perveneris illuc,
sic positum servabis onus, ne forte sub ala
fasciculum portes librorum ut rusticus agnum,
ut vinosa glomus furtivae Pyrria lanae,
ut cum pileolo soleas conviva tribulis.
Ne volgo narres te sudavisse ferendo
carmina, quae possint oculos aurisque morari
Caesaris; oratus multa prece, nitere porro.
Vade, vale; cave ne titubes mandataque frangas.