Inevitability

Woe! Postumus, Postumus
The Years are flying from you
Virtue and devotion shall not delay this wrinkled age
For unconquered are the hands of death

You may try, my friend, to sacrifice hecatombs
To soothe the tearless death:
Pluto, he who ensnares even
Ample Tityus and Geryon

But there are gloomy waters which all must travel
All those who have tasted the riches of the earth
Whether they ruled as arrogant kings
Or were humble workers of the land

Vainly we flee the blood of war
And the storms of the Adriatic
Vainly we flee the dreaded autumn
And the south wind which chills the soul

You will brave the thick stagnant waters of the Cocytus
Where ill-famed Danaus, accursed Aeolus'
Son ancient Sisyphus
Are condemned to endless toil

Your land, your wife, your home
You will leave
Bring only the loathed cypress
No other tree shall follow their master

And he shall squander what you treasured
Your heir, being a worthier soul
Bursting the locks to spill the Caecuban wines
To dye your marble floors