Horace (Orazio) – Ode XI: Carpe diem

Giovanni Andrea Podestà, Putti in a landscape, 1650

Show wisdom. Strain clear the wine;
and since life is brief, cut short far-reaching hopes!
Even while we speak, envious Time has sped.
Reap the harvest of to-day,
putting as little trust as may be in the morrow!

Da saggia versaci il tuo vino:
le troppe speranze contieni in termini brevi:
parli e già l’ora è fuggita.
Afferra l’attimo e del dubbio domani diffida.