Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Want.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Want.
Who taught the Parrot human Notes to try,
Or with a Voice endu'd the chatt'ring Pye?
'Twas witty Want, fierce Hunger to appease:
Want taught their Masters, and their Masters these.
Let Gain, that gilded Bait, be hung on high,
The hungry Witlings have it in their Eye:
Pyes, Crows, and Daws, poetic Presents bring:
You say they squeak, but they will swear they sing.—
Or with a Voice endu'd the chatt'ring Pye?
'Twas witty Want, fierce Hunger to appease:
Want taught their Masters, and their Masters these.
Let Gain, that gilded Bait, be hung on high,
The hungry Witlings have it in their Eye:
Pyes, Crows, and Daws, poetic Presents bring:
You say they squeak, but they will swear they sing.—
When human Reason Length of Time refin'd,
And Want had set an Edge upon the Mind:
When Men's Necessities did sorely press,
And exercis'd their Wits to find Redress:
Then various Cares their working Thoughts employ'd,
And that which each invented all enjoy'd.
Then Meanings first were fixt to barb'rous Sounds,
Then Corn first grew, then Fruit enrich'd the Grounds:
Thro' Seas unknown the Sailor then was hurl'd,
And gainful Traffick joyn'd the distant World:
Then Arts of War were found, and Arts of Peace.—
And Want had set an Edge upon the Mind:
When Men's Necessities did sorely press,
And exercis'd their Wits to find Redress:
Then various Cares their working Thoughts employ'd,
And that which each invented all enjoy'd.
Then Meanings first were fixt to barb'rous Sounds,
Then Corn first grew, then Fruit enrich'd the Grounds:
Thro' Seas unknown the Sailor then was hurl'd,
And gainful Traffick joyn'd the distant World:
Then Arts of War were found, and Arts of Peace.—
481
'Tis Luxury, the Bane of honest Minds,
That dulls the Soul, and sharp Invention blinds:
While more ingenious Want inspires the Man,
To prove his Pow'r, and dare what-e'er he can.
For daily Need to virtuous Arts will move,
And Arts, invented, Practice will improve.—
That dulls the Soul, and sharp Invention blinds:
While more ingenious Want inspires the Man,
To prove his Pow'r, and dare what-e'er he can.
For daily Need to virtuous Arts will move,
And Arts, invented, Practice will improve.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |