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 |  |
If to the Fight they issue forth, (for oft
Between two Kings, with Tumult, Discord reigns:)
The Vulgar's Rage, and Courage, and their Hearts
Trembling with eager Appetite of War,
You may foreknow. A Clarion, shrill as Brass,
Rouses the Laggers; and a martial Noise
Distant is heard, like Trumpets broken Sounds.
Then trembling they unite, and shake their Wings,
And with their sharp Proboscis whet their Darts,
And fit their Claws: and round their Monarch's Court
Thicken, and muster: and with loud Acclaim
Provoke the Foe.—Now, having gain'd a Sky
Serene, and open Fields of vernal Air,
They issue from their Gates, and join the Shock
Of Battle: Humming thro' th' Etherial Void,
In one huge Cluster they conglobe, and fall
Precipitant: Nor thicker falls the Hail,
Nor Show'rs of Acorns from a shaken Oak.
The Kings themselves, betwixt the middle Ranks,
Conspicuous shine, and spread their glist'ning Wings:
(Their little Bodies mighty Souls inform.)
The One (for diff'rent are their Species) burns
With vary'd Spots, and Gold: his Form all o'er
Beauteous, and bright with glist'ring Scales: this Kind
The Best: the Other horrid, and with Sloth
Inglorious, trails his swagging Paunch along.
Nor less the People, than their Kings, are found
Of Forms distinct: Some foul, of dusky Hue;
As when the Trav'ler, on a sandy Road,
From his dry Mouth spits Froth commix'd with Dust:
Some glaring Shine, and glow with Drops of Gold.—
Between two Kings, with Tumult, Discord reigns:)
The Vulgar's Rage, and Courage, and their Hearts
Trembling with eager Appetite of War,
You may foreknow. A Clarion, shrill as Brass,
Rouses the Laggers; and a martial Noise
Distant is heard, like Trumpets broken Sounds.
Then trembling they unite, and shake their Wings,
And with their sharp Proboscis whet their Darts,
And fit their Claws: and round their Monarch's Court
Thicken, and muster: and with loud Acclaim
Provoke the Foe.—Now, having gain'd a Sky
Serene, and open Fields of vernal Air,
They issue from their Gates, and join the Shock
Of Battle: Humming thro' th' Etherial Void,
In one huge Cluster they conglobe, and fall
Precipitant: Nor thicker falls the Hail,
Nor Show'rs of Acorns from a shaken Oak.
The Kings themselves, betwixt the middle Ranks,
Conspicuous shine, and spread their glist'ning Wings:
(Their little Bodies mighty Souls inform.)
117
With vary'd Spots, and Gold: his Form all o'er
Beauteous, and bright with glist'ring Scales: this Kind
The Best: the Other horrid, and with Sloth
Inglorious, trails his swagging Paunch along.
Nor less the People, than their Kings, are found
Of Forms distinct: Some foul, of dusky Hue;
As when the Trav'ler, on a sandy Road,
From his dry Mouth spits Froth commix'd with Dust:
Some glaring Shine, and glow with Drops of Gold.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |