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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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
The inbred Love of getting prompts the Bees
Their Labour to divide. The aged Sires
With curious Architecture build their Cells:
And guard their Towns, and fortify their Combs.
But late at Night the Youth fatigu'd return,
Their Legs with Thyme full-laden: hov'ring round
They suck the Arbutus, and Willows grey,
Sweet Lavendar, and Crocus' yellow Flow'r,
The purple Hyacinth, and gummy Lime.
Their Labour to divide. The aged Sires
With curious Architecture build their Cells:
And guard their Towns, and fortify their Combs.
But late at Night the Youth fatigu'd return,
Their Legs with Thyme full-laden: hov'ring round
They suck the Arbutus, and Willows grey,
Sweet Lavendar, and Crocus' yellow Flow'r,
The purple Hyacinth, and gummy Lime.
They toil together, and together rest:
With the first Morn they issue from their Gates:
Again, when Vesper warns them to return
From feeding, and the Fields: they homewards bend,
Refresh their Bodies, and with murm'ring Noise
Hum round the Sides, and Entrance of their Hives:
At length in Silence hush'd all Night repose,
And with soft Sleep relieve their weary Limbs.
While Rain impends, or Winds begin to rise,
They rove not far from Home, nor trust the Sky:
But drink, secure, beneath their City's Walls,
And short Excursions try: and oft with Sand
Ballast Themselves, like Ships on tossing Waves,
And poise their Bodies thro' the Void of Air.—
With the first Morn they issue from their Gates:
Again, when Vesper warns them to return
From feeding, and the Fields: they homewards bend,
Refresh their Bodies, and with murm'ring Noise
Hum round the Sides, and Entrance of their Hives:
At length in Silence hush'd all Night repose,
115
While Rain impends, or Winds begin to rise,
They rove not far from Home, nor trust the Sky:
But drink, secure, beneath their City's Walls,
And short Excursions try: and oft with Sand
Ballast Themselves, like Ships on tossing Waves,
And poise their Bodies thro' the Void of Air.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |