Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem 

What is a poet asking Apollo, 

What is he praying for, raising fresh wine in the Actiaca victory temple? 

Oh, not for the riches of Sardinia. 

He does not want the flocks of Calabriae, not ivory, or grains from the banks of Liris. 

Neither the gold coins. 

Campaniae vines Let to the fortune's lucky farmer's care. 

From the golden vase Syrian rug merchant Drinks now, 

for he must be gods' favorite Crossing the seas thousandfold with no harm. 

I, dear Apollo, take light olive 

Let me be happy with the little I have Love, 

good health and a clear mind that will not fail 

And when old age comes, let it be gentle 

And full of these songs... 

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65 - 8 b.c.e. (translation and interpretation Uki D. Lucas)

Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem
vates? quid orat de patera novum
fundens liquorem? non opimae
Sardiniae segetes feracis,

non aestuosae grata Calabriae
armenta, non aurum aut ebur Indicum,
non rura, quae Liris quieta
mordet aqua taciturnus amnis.

premant Calenam falce quibus dedit
fortuna vitem, dives ut aureis
mercator exsiccet culillis
vina Syra reparata merce,

dis carus ipsis, quippe ter et quater
anno revisens aequor Atlanticum
inpune. me pascunt olivae,
me cichorea levesque malvae.

frui paratis et valido mihi,
Latoe, dones et precor integra
cum mente nec turpem senectam
degere nec cithara carentem.