Writes Ryan Post:

Something which many people do not know about Horace is that, beside writing the ode with the famous “Dulce et Decorum” line, he also writes a poem (Ode II.vii) about fleeing from the battle of Philippi as fast as he possibly could, and with the help of Mercury! Horace passed up his own opportunity to die for his country. At the end of II.vii, Horace and his friend return home from the war and drink themselves into oblivion to celebrate.

The Best of Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.