Certain Selected Odes Of Horace, Englished and their Arguments annexed. With Poems (Antient and Modern) of diuers Subjects, Translated. Whereunto are added, both in Latin and English, sundry new Epigrammes. Anagrammes. Epitaphes [by John Ashmore] |
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| THE PRAISE OF A COVNTRY LIFE. |
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 | Certain Selected Odes Of Horace, Englished |  |
THE PRAISE OF A COVNTRY LIFE.
79
GENERIS SPLENDORE, Doctrina, & Pietate viro præcellenti, D. Thomæ Wharton, Equiti aurato, D. Philippi Baronis de Wharton, Filio & Hæredi.
Accept these Lines, the Countrie's praise that tell(O thou the Court's and Country's dear Delight)
Which, as I Mawnds made in my homely Cell,
My Countrey Muse did late to me indite.
So, let thy Philadelph (her Sexes praise)
Enrich thee still with Treasures of her bed:
So, let thy Philip, in thy Hall that playes,
Thee Grandsire make by issue fairely spred.
Virtutum tuarum cultor observantissimus, Ioh: Ashmorvs.
81
Martial. Lib. 4. Epigram. 90. De Rusticatione.
Asks thou, ith' Country how I spend the Day?Early, each morning, to the gods I pray.
My Servants then, and Fields to see I goe,
And every one appoint what worke to doe.
This done, I read, and Vows to Phœbus make
To ease me, and my drouping Muse t'awake.
My Body then I rub and ore-anoynt,
And easily stretch-out each Lim and Ioynt,
Reioycing in my mind, secure and free
From debt, and the black books of Vsurie.
I dine, I drink, I sing, I wash, I play,
I sup; then, from my Rest not long do stay:
Yet, till my Lampe a little Oyle doe spend,
Som time I nightly to the Muses lend.
Virgil. Georg. lib. 2. Vitæ Rusticæ Laus.
O happy (if their Happiness they knew)
Are Husbandmen; to whom, in seasons due
(Far from Bellona's Rage in bloody Fields)
The thankfull Earth food from her Bosome yeelds.
Are Husbandmen; to whom, in seasons due
(Far from Bellona's Rage in bloody Fields)
The thankfull Earth food from her Bosome yeelds.
82
If their proud Gates from each Room belch not out
Of Smell-feast Parasites a fleering Rout;
Nor Pillars they desire, that bear on high
Roofs fairly fretted with Imagery;
Nor Clothes, where scattred Gold sportes interlaced;
Nor Plate of Corinth curiously enchased;
Nor their white Fleeces are with Venim foil'd;
Nor self-pure Oyl with Slibber-sawces spoil'd:
Of Smell-feast Parasites a fleering Rout;
Nor Pillars they desire, that bear on high
Roofs fairly fretted with Imagery;
Nor Clothes, where scattred Gold sportes interlaced;
Nor Plate of Corinth curiously enchased;
Nor their white Fleeces are with Venim foil'd;
Nor self-pure Oyl with Slibber-sawces spoil'd:
Yet quiet Rest, and harm-less Lives they have
So rich of good things, that they need not crave;
And spatious Grounds, where they doo walk at leasure;
And Caves, and Springs, and Woods, and Groves, for pleasure.
Their bellowing Oxen, and their bleating Sheep,
In some cool Shade them summon to sweet Sleep:
There Forrests, and there Dens of wilde Beasts are,
And Youth enduring toil with little Fare;
There holy Rites, and holy Fathers been:
Astræa, leaving th'Earth, There laft was seen.
So rich of good things, that they need not crave;
And spatious Grounds, where they doo walk at leasure;
And Caves, and Springs, and Woods, and Groves, for pleasure.
Their bellowing Oxen, and their bleating Sheep,
In some cool Shade them summon to sweet Sleep:
There Forrests, and there Dens of wilde Beasts are,
And Youth enduring toil with little Fare;
There holy Rites, and holy Fathers been:
Astræa, leaving th'Earth, There laft was seen.
But, first let the sweet Muses (whom above
All other things I most esteem and love)
Mee entertain their Priest, and to mee showe
The Circuits that the Heav'ns and Stars doo go,
The sundr' Eclipses of the Sun and Moon,
Whence Earth-quakes come; what Powr the Sea so soon
(His Bars broke down) makes proudly rage and swell,
And brings it back, within its Banks to dwell:
Why Winter-daies so fast doo run away,
And why the lingering Nights so long doo stay.
All other things I most esteem and love)
Mee entertain their Priest, and to mee showe
The Circuits that the Heav'ns and Stars doo go,
The sundr' Eclipses of the Sun and Moon,
Whence Earth-quakes come; what Powr the Sea so soon
(His Bars broke down) makes proudly rage and swell,
And brings it back, within its Banks to dwell:
Why Winter-daies so fast doo run away,
And why the lingering Nights so long doo stay.
But, if dull Blood, congeal'd about my Hart,
Forbids mee t'undergo this worthy Part
Of Natures Worth; Then let the Country please-mee,
And Rivers (running through the Vallies) ease-mee.
Then let mee love the Woods and Floods unknowne.
O that there were, O that there were but one
That would mee set upon the pleasant Plain,
By which swift Pirchius doth his Course maintain
With posting Waters! or on Taget Hill,
Which Spartan Virgins with mad Shriekings fill
In Bacchus Feasts! or, under Hemus Bank,
Would cover me ith' Shade of Branches rank!
Forbids mee t'undergo this worthy Part
83
And Rivers (running through the Vallies) ease-mee.
Then let mee love the Woods and Floods unknowne.
O that there were, O that there were but one
That would mee set upon the pleasant Plain,
By which swift Pirchius doth his Course maintain
With posting Waters! or on Taget Hill,
Which Spartan Virgins with mad Shriekings fill
In Bacchus Feasts! or, under Hemus Bank,
Would cover me ith' Shade of Branches rank!
Hee's happy, that the Causes of things knowes
That vanquisheth, and at his Feet down throwes,
All Cares, and Dest'nies unappeas'd Mis-haps,
And th'hideous Noise of Hel's still-gaping Chaps.
That vanquisheth, and at his Feet down throwes,
All Cares, and Dest'nies unappeas'd Mis-haps,
And th'hideous Noise of Hel's still-gaping Chaps.
Hee's happy too, the Country-gods that knoweth;
Pan, and Sylvanus (that in Yeers now groweth)
And sister-Fairies, tripping on the Lawn.
He, from his settled Life, will not bee drawn
By Honours Ensignes, nor by Robes of State,
Nor by ambitious Thoughts that hatch Debate,
And faith-lesse Brethren setteth by the Ears;
Nor Treachery, amaz'd with doubtfull Fears;
Nor by Rome's Glory (that now beareth Sway)
Nor Kingdoms, that soon perish and decay.
Hee pulingly ne'r mourneth for the Poor,
Nor him envieth that is rich in Store.
The Fruit, his Trees and Ground yeeld willingly,
Hee gathers, and hee keepeth carefully:
Nor doth hee hard and cruell Lawes behould,
Now brawling Courts, where Iudgements are inroul'd.
Pan, and Sylvanus (that in Yeers now groweth)
And sister-Fairies, tripping on the Lawn.
He, from his settled Life, will not bee drawn
By Honours Ensignes, nor by Robes of State,
Nor by ambitious Thoughts that hatch Debate,
And faith-lesse Brethren setteth by the Ears;
Nor Treachery, amaz'd with doubtfull Fears;
Nor by Rome's Glory (that now beareth Sway)
Nor Kingdoms, that soon perish and decay.
Hee pulingly ne'r mourneth for the Poor,
Nor him envieth that is rich in Store.
The Fruit, his Trees and Ground yeeld willingly,
Hee gathers, and hee keepeth carefully:
Nor doth hee hard and cruell Lawes behould,
Now brawling Courts, where Iudgements are inroul'd.
84
Some, Seas vnknowne with Oares molest, nor shun
They murthering Steele: to Princes Courts Some run.
He Cities sackes, and Matrones makes to weepe,
That hee may bowze in Pearle, in Purple sleepe.
From Riches hid, Another seldom slitteth;
But, on his buried Gold (as brooding) sitteth.
He, at the Barre struck mute, astonisht stands:
Gaping for Praise, Him Shouts, and Claps of hands
Ith' Theater (for, they redoubled be
By Senators, and the Plebeïty)
Raise like a Top, and turn-sick make with Pride.
These Swaggerers hands theirs Brothers bloud have dy'd.
From place to place These still do trudge and range,
And their sweet Homes for Banishment do change:
New fangled, from their trusty Friends they run,
To seeke a Place warm'd with another Sun.
The Husband-man with crookt Plough doth not spare
To stir his Ground. Hence, his Revenewes are:
Hence, to his Country, Scot and Lot hee paies:
Hence, Sust'nance for his Houshould hee doth raise,
And his young Nephews: Hence, hee doth preserve
His Heards of Beasts; and Steers, that wel dezerve.
They murthering Steele: to Princes Courts Some run.
He Cities sackes, and Matrones makes to weepe,
That hee may bowze in Pearle, in Purple sleepe.
From Riches hid, Another seldom slitteth;
But, on his buried Gold (as brooding) sitteth.
He, at the Barre struck mute, astonisht stands:
Gaping for Praise, Him Shouts, and Claps of hands
Ith' Theater (for, they redoubled be
By Senators, and the Plebeïty)
Raise like a Top, and turn-sick make with Pride.
These Swaggerers hands theirs Brothers bloud have dy'd.
From place to place These still do trudge and range,
And their sweet Homes for Banishment do change:
New fangled, from their trusty Friends they run,
To seeke a Place warm'd with another Sun.
The Husband-man with crookt Plough doth not spare
To stir his Ground. Hence, his Revenewes are:
Hence, to his Country, Scot and Lot hee paies:
Hence, Sust'nance for his Houshould hee doth raise,
And his young Nephews: Hence, hee doth preserve
His Heards of Beasts; and Steers, that wel dezerve.
Nor will it rest, but th'Yeer will set abroad
His Riches, and each Bough with Fruit will load;
Or great Increase will Cattell cause to yield,
Or Ceres Gifts so shed in every Field,
That scarce the Furrows may their Burden bear,
And their large Barns asunder that will tear.
His Riches, and each Bough with Fruit will load;
Or great Increase will Cattell cause to yield,
Or Ceres Gifts so shed in every Field,
That scarce the Furrows may their Burden bear,
And their large Barns asunder that will tear.
Winter draws on. The Olive-berries then
They grinde in Mills: The Hogs come home agen
Frolick with Mast and Wildings in the Woods.
And Autumn is no Niggard of his Goods:
The Vessels hee to th'Brimmes with ripe Grapes fils,
And presseth them forth on the sun-shine Hils.
Mean-while, their pretty Babes they hugge and kiss:
Milde Chastity still their House-keeper is.
The Kine with strouting Vdders come to th'Pail:
The wanton Kids (ith' rank Grass, by) assail,
With Horns new put-forth, proudly one another:
Nor to the Gods, unthankfull, doth hee smother
Their Gifts; but keeps his Feasts Solemnities,
And on the Grass with Flowres embrodered lies;
Where, in the midst, the Fire they compass round,
When his Help-fellows quaffing Boawls have crownd:
Which lightly toucht, with Vowes hee calls on thee,
O Bacchus. Then hee Games, for Mastery,
In th'Elm to Neat-heards sets: Hee, that shoots best,
Must have the Shout and Praise from all the rest.
Their leather-Pelts put-off, the thick-skin Crew
Themselves in untaught Wrastling tugge and tew.
They grinde in Mills: The Hogs come home agen
Frolick with Mast and Wildings in the Woods.
And Autumn is no Niggard of his Goods:
85
And presseth them forth on the sun-shine Hils.
Mean-while, their pretty Babes they hugge and kiss:
Milde Chastity still their House-keeper is.
The Kine with strouting Vdders come to th'Pail:
The wanton Kids (ith' rank Grass, by) assail,
With Horns new put-forth, proudly one another:
Nor to the Gods, unthankfull, doth hee smother
Their Gifts; but keeps his Feasts Solemnities,
And on the Grass with Flowres embrodered lies;
Where, in the midst, the Fire they compass round,
When his Help-fellows quaffing Boawls have crownd:
Which lightly toucht, with Vowes hee calls on thee,
O Bacchus. Then hee Games, for Mastery,
In th'Elm to Neat-heards sets: Hee, that shoots best,
Must have the Shout and Praise from all the rest.
Their leather-Pelts put-off, the thick-skin Crew
Themselves in untaught Wrastling tugge and tew.
Long-since, the ancient Sabines lived thus:
Thus Remus, and his Brother Romulus:
Warlick Hetruria thus to Greatnes grew:
Yea, Rome herself (to whom all Nations sue,
Th'admired Minion of the World) thus rose,
And in one Wall seaven Towres did thus inclose.
Thus Remus, and his Brother Romulus:
Warlick Hetruria thus to Greatnes grew:
Yea, Rome herself (to whom all Nations sue,
Th'admired Minion of the World) thus rose,
And in one Wall seaven Towres did thus inclose.
And, long before the Cretian King did raign,
And cruell People liv'd by Bullocks slain,
Good Saturn thus on Earth did spend his Daies:
Fearfull Alarums yet men did not raise
To hatefull Wars; nor (on hard Anvils wrought
With crackling noise) for slaughter Swords were sought.
But now, ith' Wilde-goose-Chase o'r-hal'd with Pains,
'Tis time to loose my froathing Horses Rains.
And cruell People liv'd by Bullocks slain,
Good Saturn thus on Earth did spend his Daies:
Fearfull Alarums yet men did not raise
To hatefull Wars; nor (on hard Anvils wrought
With crackling noise) for slaughter Swords were sought.
But now, ith' Wilde-goose-Chase o'r-hal'd with Pains,
'Tis time to loose my froathing Horses Rains.
86
Ex M. Antonio Flaminio, ad Agellum suum. Sic incipit: Vmbræ frigidulæ, &c.
Cool Shades, Air-fanning Groves,
With your sofe Whisperings,
Where Pleasure smiling roves
Through deawie Caves & Springs,
And bathes her purple Wings:
With your sofe Whisperings,
Where Pleasure smiling roves
Through deawie Caves & Springs,
And bathes her purple Wings:
With Flowrs inameld Ground
(Nature's fair Tapestry)
Where chattering Birds abound,
Flickring from Tree to Tree,
With Change of Melody:
(Nature's fair Tapestry)
Where chattering Birds abound,
Flickring from Tree to Tree,
With Change of Melody:
Sweet Liberty and Leasures,
Where still the Muses keep,
O! if to those true Treasures,
That from your Bosoms peep,
I might securely creep:
Where still the Muses keep,
O! if to those true Treasures,
That from your Bosoms peep,
I might securely creep:
If I might spend my Daies
(Remote from publike Brawls)
Now tuning lovely Laies,
Now light-foot Madrigals,
Ne'r checkt with sudden Calls:
(Remote from publike Brawls)
Now tuning lovely Laies,
Now light-foot Madrigals,
Ne'r checkt with sudden Calls:
Now follow Sleep that goes
Rustling ith' green-wood Shade;
Now milk my Goat, that knowes
(With her yong fearfull Cade)
The Pail ith' cooly Glade,
Rustling ith' green-wood Shade;
Now milk my Goat, that knowes
(With her yong fearfull Cade)
The Pail ith' cooly Glade,
87
And with Boawls fild to th'Brims
Of milky Moisture new,
To water my dry'd Lims,
And t'all the wrangling Crew
Of Cares to bid, Adew;
Of milky Moisture new,
To water my dry'd Lims,
And t'all the wrangling Crew
Of Cares to bid, Adew;
What Life then should I lead!
How like then would it bee
Vnto the Gods, that tread
Ith' starry Gallery
Of true Felicity!
How like then would it bee
Vnto the Gods, that tread
Ith' starry Gallery
Of true Felicity!
But you, O Virgins sweet,
In Helicon thar dwell,
That oft the Fountains greet,
When you the Pleasures tell
Ith' Country that excell:
In Helicon thar dwell,
That oft the Fountains greet,
When you the Pleasures tell
Ith' Country that excell:
If I my Life, though dear,
For your far dearer sake,
To yeeld would nothing fear;
From Citie's Tumults take-mee,
And free ith' Country make-mee.
For your far dearer sake,
To yeeld would nothing fear;
From Citie's Tumults take-mee,
And free ith' Country make-mee.
FINIS.
| Certain Selected Odes Of Horace, Englished | |