A deep and lasting attachment sprang up between the two men, Maecenas giving to Horace in 34 B. C. a small estate which guaranteed him some peace and security. In 23 B. C. he published the first three books of the Odes in the form of eighty-eight earmina or songs; but they were not enthusiastically received. He then published in 20 B.C.  and 12 B. C. (?) the two books of Epistles written in hexameter form. However he composed more odes at the request of Augustus in 17 B. C. and published probably in 13 B. C. his fourth and shortest book of Odes.