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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Warrior.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Warrior.
See Hero.
When
Turnus saw Æneas from the Field
Retiring, and the Trojan Chiefs confus'd:
Fir'd with new Hope, he suddenly demands
His Arms, and Horses: vaults with haughty Bound
Into his Car, and guides the flowing Reins.
Many brave Warriors in his swift Career
He gives to Death: rolls many on the Ground
Half dead: or drives his Chariot o'er their Troops;
Or plies their Backs with Jav'lins in their Flight.
As when, enrag'd, near frozen Hebrus' Stream,
Mars clashes on his Shield, and wakes the War,
And to his foaming Coursers gives the Reins:
They, in the open Field, outfly the Winds,
Notus, and Zephyrus: beneath their Feet
The Thracian Confines groan: and round him throng
Fury, and Stratagem, and pale Dismay,
The dire Retinue of th' ensanguin'd God.
So Turnus, thro' the Middle of the Fight,
Exulting, lashes on his fiery Steeds
Smoking with Sweat: and (dreadful to behold!)
Tramples his prostrate Foes: the rapid Hoofs
Scatter the gory Dew all sprinkled round,
And spurn thick Clots of mingled Sand and Blood.—
Retiring, and the Trojan Chiefs confus'd:
Fir'd with new Hope, he suddenly demands
His Arms, and Horses: vaults with haughty Bound
Into his Car, and guides the flowing Reins.
Many brave Warriors in his swift Career
He gives to Death: rolls many on the Ground
Half dead: or drives his Chariot o'er their Troops;
Or plies their Backs with Jav'lins in their Flight.
As when, enrag'd, near frozen Hebrus' Stream,
Mars clashes on his Shield, and wakes the War,
And to his foaming Coursers gives the Reins:
They, in the open Field, outfly the Winds,
Notus, and Zephyrus: beneath their Feet
The Thracian Confines groan: and round him throng
Fury, and Stratagem, and pale Dismay,
The dire Retinue of th' ensanguin'd God.
So Turnus, thro' the Middle of the Fight,
Exulting, lashes on his fiery Steeds
491
Tramples his prostrate Foes: the rapid Hoofs
Scatter the gory Dew all sprinkled round,
And spurn thick Clots of mingled Sand and Blood.—
And now the Courser on his Back receives
Th' accustom'd Load: He settles in the Seat,
And both his Hands with pointed Jav'lins fills:
His brazen Helmet glitters on his Head,
And nods the waving Crest of Horses Mane.
Thus arm'd, with rapid Haste into the Midst
Furious he rides: Within his Bosom boils
Disdainful Shame, and Grief to Madness wrought,
And Love inflam'd with Rage, and conscious Worth.—
Th' accustom'd Load: He settles in the Seat,
And both his Hands with pointed Jav'lins fills:
His brazen Helmet glitters on his Head,
And nods the waving Crest of Horses Mane.
Thus arm'd, with rapid Haste into the Midst
Furious he rides: Within his Bosom boils
Disdainful Shame, and Grief to Madness wrought,
And Love inflam'd with Rage, and conscious Worth.—
But by Jove's Impulse fierce Mezentius fir'd
Mean while succeeds to Battle, and invades
The conqu'ring Trojans. All the Tyrrhene Bands
Assemble: Him alone with mortal Hate
United, and with Storms of Darts they press.
He, like a Rock, which o'er the Ocean wide
Hangs prominent, expos'd to Winds and Waves,
And all the Rage of Sea and Sky endures,
Stands fix'd, unmov'd.—
Mean while succeeds to Battle, and invades
The conqu'ring Trojans. All the Tyrrhene Bands
Assemble: Him alone with mortal Hate
United, and with Storms of Darts they press.
He, like a Rock, which o'er the Ocean wide
Hangs prominent, expos'd to Winds and Waves,
And all the Rage of Sea and Sky endures,
Stands fix'd, unmov'd.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |