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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Bribery.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
131
Bribery.
Believe me, Men and Gods with Gifts are pleas'd:Ev'n angry Jove by Off'rings is appeas'd.
With Presents Fools and Wise alike are caught,
Give but enough, the Husband may be bought.—
But bring your Price, come with a Gift prepar'd,
And You may quickly influence the Guard:
Gold's mighty Pow'r sets open ev'ry Door,
And ev'n th' obliging Dog will bark no more.—
A Tow'r of Brass, Gates strong, and barr'd,
And watchful Dogs those Gates to Guard,
Must safely keep, (one wou'd have said,)
Imprison'd Danae's Maiden-Head:
And watchful Dogs those Gates to Guard,
Must safely keep, (one wou'd have said,)
Imprison'd Danae's Maiden-Head:
And so they would, if cunning Jove,
And Venus Favourer of Love,
Had not with pow'rful Bribes betray'd
Acrisius' Guards about the Maid:
Bribes open'd for the God a Way:
When chang'd to Gold nought could his Passage stay.
Where Money reigns, what signify the Laws?
And Venus Favourer of Love,
Had not with pow'rful Bribes betray'd
Acrisius' Guards about the Maid:
Bribes open'd for the God a Way:
When chang'd to Gold nought could his Passage stay.
A poor Man there can never gain his Cause.
Ev'n those grave Sirs that rail against the World,
Can stoop sometimes to sell their Voice for Gold.
Justice is now a common Bargain grown,
Bribe well the Judge, the Cause You buy's your own—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |