Hugh Peters (1807–1831)

Quod si me lyricis vatibus inseres,
Sublimi feriam sidera vertice.

YE are a wise and goodly company;

A very worthy noble brotherhood;

Nectar your drink, ambrosia your food;

Ye cannot fail of immortality!

When ye would sleep, sweet will your slumbering be;

For Musa ’neath you spreads a couch of down,

Or airy gossamer with rose-leaves strewn,

Fit hovering place for dreams of phantasy;

And when ye wake, if ye would music have,

For you Apollo wakes his echoing strings;

Or would ye ride, Pegasus spreads his wings,

And off ye fly through air, o’er earth and wave!

O happy band! I ’ll “give you honor due,”

If ye will deign admit me of your crew!