Translations and Poems Written on Several Occasions [by Samuel Boyse] |
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Responsio M. Catonis ad Labienum,
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 | Translations and Poems |  |
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Responsio M. Catonis ad Labienum,
De Oraculo Ammonis consulendo. Lucan, lib. V.
TRANSLATED
24
Victrix Causa Diis placuit, sed victa Catoni.
Lucan.
Full of the Pow'r, whose Light inspir'd his Breast,
Great Cato answer'd thus the Chief's Request:—
“What, Labienus? dost thou seek to know?
“Is it our Chance in Arms against the Foe?
“Or shall we doubt all Evils to sustain,
“E're Rome be fetter'd, or a Cæsar reign?
“Is Life then nothing but protracted Breath?
“Or Slavery a slighter Ill than Death?
“Must Virtue take its Colour from Success,
“Or does opposing Fortune make it less?
“While nobly we assert the righteous Cause,
“Of suffering Liberty, and injur'd Laws,
“Do we not act like Romans and like Men?
“Or must precarious Chance direct the Scene?
“All this we know ourselves—nor can the Pow'r
“That rules these hallow'd Shrines inform us more:—
“Tho' dumb the Oracle he speaks his Mind,
“In lively Characters to all Mankind?
“Gilds Life's first Dawn with Reason's heav'nly Rays,
“And takes the Tribute of imperfect Praise!
“Ev'n Nature, here in Silence, sounds his Name,
“And these vast Wilds Omnipotence proclaim!
“The Fire, the Earth, the Seas, and ambient Air
“Point out his Wisdom, and his Pow'r declare!
“In Heaven and virtuous Minds he makes Abode,
“Thro' all her Works Creation owns his Nod;
“Beneath, around us, and display'd above,
“Whate'er we see, where'er we go, is Jove!
“Let others, anxious for their doubtful Fate,
“On the dark Oracle's Decision wait!
“'Tis Death, whom Coward and Hero must obey,
“'Tis certain Death takes all my Cares away;
“Or soon, or late, we all are doom'd to fall,
“Jove speaks by me this Lesson to you all!”—
“So said—the God-like Chief his Legions join'd,
“And left the unconsulted Priest behind.
Great Cato answer'd thus the Chief's Request:—
“What, Labienus? dost thou seek to know?
“Is it our Chance in Arms against the Foe?
“Or shall we doubt all Evils to sustain,
“E're Rome be fetter'd, or a Cæsar reign?
“Is Life then nothing but protracted Breath?
“Or Slavery a slighter Ill than Death?
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“Or does opposing Fortune make it less?
“While nobly we assert the righteous Cause,
“Of suffering Liberty, and injur'd Laws,
“Do we not act like Romans and like Men?
“Or must precarious Chance direct the Scene?
“All this we know ourselves—nor can the Pow'r
“That rules these hallow'd Shrines inform us more:—
“Tho' dumb the Oracle he speaks his Mind,
“In lively Characters to all Mankind?
“Gilds Life's first Dawn with Reason's heav'nly Rays,
“And takes the Tribute of imperfect Praise!
“Ev'n Nature, here in Silence, sounds his Name,
“And these vast Wilds Omnipotence proclaim!
“The Fire, the Earth, the Seas, and ambient Air
“Point out his Wisdom, and his Pow'r declare!
“In Heaven and virtuous Minds he makes Abode,
“Thro' all her Works Creation owns his Nod;
“Beneath, around us, and display'd above,
“Whate'er we see, where'er we go, is Jove!
“Let others, anxious for their doubtful Fate,
“On the dark Oracle's Decision wait!
“'Tis Death, whom Coward and Hero must obey,
“'Tis certain Death takes all my Cares away;
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“Jove speaks by me this Lesson to you all!”—
“So said—the God-like Chief his Legions join'd,
“And left the unconsulted Priest behind.
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