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In Other Words/Getting Lydia's Number

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Getting Lydia’s Number

AD LYDIAM
Horace: Book I, Ode 8.
“Lydia, dic, per omnis—”
Lydia, by the gods above,
Tell me why, O maid magnetic,
You must ruin with your love
Him that used to be athletic?

Tell me why, O maid magnetic,
Sybaris will not cavort—
Him that used to be athletic,
Him that used to be a sport?

Sybaris will not cavort
On the field or in the river—
Him that used to be a sport
With the quoit or with the quiver!

On the field or in the river,
On the court or on the links,
With the quoit or with the quiver—
You’re his Jonah, you’re his Jinx!

On the court or on the links
Sybaris was once a wonder,
You’re his Jonah, you’re his Jinx—
Why delight to drag him under?

Sybaris was once a wonder
You must ruin with your love.
Why delight to drag him under?
Lydia, by the gods above!