Prayer to Bacchus and Liber

The end of the account of the Liberalia, answering its opening (ovid-bacchus-001): there Ovid promised to sing the festival, here he presents the work done and asks for settlement.

Mite caput, pater, huc placataque cornua vertas — turn hither your gentle head, father, and your pacified horns. The request is addressed not to the god in general but to a particular condition of him. Bacchus has two faces: the one who gives wine and gladness, and the one who tears Pentheus apart. The poet specifies which he needs, and specifies it in advance, as one specifies terms.

The horns are not ornament: Liber-Bacchus was represented with a bull's horns, and in them lies his wild, animal side. Placataque cornua are horns brought into a peaceable state.

Des ingenio vela secunda meo — give my talent a following sail. The verses are a ship and inspiration the wind; the god of wine is asked for wind, and asked because what is wanted is not rapture but headway.