What's an example of an epode?

Question

ep·ode (ĕp'ōd')
n.
A lyric poem characterized by couplets formed by a long line followed by a shorter one.

Can someone please offer an example of this so I understand more cleary what it means?

Answer 1

IHere is an example of one by Horace from the 1st web site below. You will have to page down to find it once you are at the site as there are odes there also. There are many more of Horace's epodes at the site also. At the second site listed is a paper on the subject of epodes that may also be helpful. Good luck.



VIII EPODE II Revisited

Happy is he who like our ancient ancestors
Far from the business. world, rising at dawn
Cuts fresh smelling turf with a sharp edged spade
Digging deep holes. for tender fruit tree roots.
No trucks are moving yet down the road, the sun
Rising sheds a soft and yellow light upon a the field
Where he is working, sensing nature all around.
And for her part a dark skinned sunburned wife
Separates the roots. and holds the one foot apple trees.
Just at the planting depth, and together they
Rake in the soft earth gently, stamp it down,
Sprinkle a bit of dry earth on top as dry time mulch.

At eight o'clock their little son., lunch and backpack
Over his shoulder wanders past them, looks a bit, and goes.
Down to the bus stop. It screeches, lights blink and it
Swallows him up. Down the road he sees them planting still.

New the sun is hotter and a slight, honest sweat
Steals ever them as the morning cool subsides.
Fifty trees planted, a good early morning job,
Fifteen years and this will be a rosy crop
Of Mackintosh apples not computers. You can be proud
Of work like this in the early morning air

This is the only life a person would gladly choose.
Think of those lifeless shadows working at a desk,
Dry tasks of thoughtless masters, year after year.
Never standing at the edge of your own family field,
Seeing your trees, sweating at your work, your world
Unwrapping in the sunlight all around you

When Professor X. had said these words,
His heart swelling with a farmer's pride,
He came in, showered, put his good clothes on,
Dropped by the faculty club for a quick bite
And a taste of academically spiced conversation,
And headed for his Chaucer junior seminar.

"Whan that Aprille with her shoures soote...."

Answer 2

http://www.answers.com/topic/epode
Here is a useful link. And another:
http://www.poeticbyway.com/xjonson.htm
and another:
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/display_rpo/terminology.cfm
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Thanks Mewwy I thought it was a truncated episode :-(