The Works of Tibullus Containing his Love-Elegies. Translated by Mr Dart. To which is added, The Life of the Author; with Observations on the Original Design of Elegiack Verse; and the Characters of the most Celebrated Greek, Latin and English Elegiack Poets |
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| IV. | ELEGY IV. To PRIAPUS. |
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| IV. |
 | The Works of Tibullus |  |
ELEGY IV. To PRIAPUS.
So may the Trees extend their spreading Boughs,
And guard thy Head from Heat and chilly Snows;
As you resolve me, for what Arts acquir'd,
Or for what beauteous Features you're admir'd?
Thy snarly Locks are matted to thy Head,
And o'er thy Face thy shaggy Beard is spread.
Naked, you stand the Cold of wint'ry Days,
And naked, feel the Dog-star's parching Rays.
Thus I; and thus (to Bacchus near ally'd,)
The God that holds the crooked Scyth reply'd;
And guard thy Head from Heat and chilly Snows;
As you resolve me, for what Arts acquir'd,
Or for what beauteous Features you're admir'd?
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And o'er thy Face thy shaggy Beard is spread.
Naked, you stand the Cold of wint'ry Days,
And naked, feel the Dog-star's parching Rays.
Thus I; and thus (to Bacchus near ally'd,)
The God that holds the crooked Scyth reply'd;
Far from the tender Tribe of Boys remove,
For they've a thousand ways to kindle Love.
This, pleases as he strides the manag'd Horse,
And holds the taughten'd Rein with early Force;
This, as he swims, delights thy Fancy best,
Raising the smiling Wave with snowy Breast:
This, with a comely Look and manly Airs;
And that with Virgin Modesty ensnares.
But if at first you find him not inclin'd
To Love, have Patience, Time will change his Mind.
Twas Time that first instructed Man to tame
The Lyon, and the savage Race reclaim:
Time eats the solid Stone where Rain distills,
And ripens Clusters on the sunny Hills.
The Sun, as he approaches or declines,
Wheels round the Year, and shifts the radiant Signs.
Nor fear to swear, for Venus Perjuries
Throws in the Wind, or scatters o'er the Seas;
Great Thanks to Jove, ev'n he the Cheat allows,
Nor once insists on eager Lovers Vows.
Diana by her Arrows lets us swear,
And Pallas by the Glories of her Hair.
For they've a thousand ways to kindle Love.
This, pleases as he strides the manag'd Horse,
And holds the taughten'd Rein with early Force;
This, as he swims, delights thy Fancy best,
Raising the smiling Wave with snowy Breast:
This, with a comely Look and manly Airs;
And that with Virgin Modesty ensnares.
But if at first you find him not inclin'd
To Love, have Patience, Time will change his Mind.
Twas Time that first instructed Man to tame
The Lyon, and the savage Race reclaim:
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And ripens Clusters on the sunny Hills.
The Sun, as he approaches or declines,
Wheels round the Year, and shifts the radiant Signs.
Nor fear to swear, for Venus Perjuries
Throws in the Wind, or scatters o'er the Seas;
Great Thanks to Jove, ev'n he the Cheat allows,
Nor once insists on eager Lovers Vows.
Diana by her Arrows lets us swear,
And Pallas by the Glories of her Hair.
But if you wave your Hopes and use Delays
You're wrong, for happy Youth decays a-pace.
Alas, how swiftly flies away the Light!
Nor slowly moves the Day, nor wheels the Night!
How quickly fades the Earth as Seasons slide!
Losing its flow'ry Grace, and purple Pride!
How quickly does the tow'ring Poplar shed
The leafy Honours of its beauteous Head!
Un-nerv'd by Age, how slothful lies the Horse
Which flew when Young in the Olympick Course!
I've seen the Old desire their youthful Prime,
And wail their foolish Hours, and ill-spent Time.
Ye cruel Gods! the Serpent can renew
His speckled Luster, and his shining Hue;
But Beauty lost, our Art and Pow'r is vain
E'er to renew the precious Prize again.
The only Pow'rs whose Youth can ne'er decay,
Are Bacchus, and the God that rules the Day;
Their lasting Beauties Time can ne'er impair,
Nor strip the growing Honours of their Hair.
You're wrong, for happy Youth decays a-pace.
Alas, how swiftly flies away the Light!
Nor slowly moves the Day, nor wheels the Night!
How quickly fades the Earth as Seasons slide!
Losing its flow'ry Grace, and purple Pride!
How quickly does the tow'ring Poplar shed
The leafy Honours of its beauteous Head!
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Which flew when Young in the Olympick Course!
I've seen the Old desire their youthful Prime,
And wail their foolish Hours, and ill-spent Time.
Ye cruel Gods! the Serpent can renew
His speckled Luster, and his shining Hue;
But Beauty lost, our Art and Pow'r is vain
E'er to renew the precious Prize again.
The only Pow'rs whose Youth can ne'er decay,
Are Bacchus, and the God that rules the Day;
Their lasting Beauties Time can ne'er impair,
Nor strip the growing Honours of their Hair.
And you, whate'er your Fav'rite does, approve,
For Condescension leads the Way to love.
Go with him where he goes, tho' long the Way,
And the fierce Dog-star fires the sultry Day;
Or the gay Rainbow girds the bluish Sky,
And threatens ratling Show'rs of Rain are nigh.
If sailing on the Water be his Will,
Then steer the Wherry with a dext'rous Skill:
Nor think it hard Fatigues and Pains to bear,
But still be ready with a willing Chear.
If he'll inclose the Vales for savage Spoils,
Then on thy Shoulders bear the Notts and Toils
If Fencing be the Fav'rite Sport he'll use,
Take up the Files, and artlesly oppose;
Seem as intent, yet oft expose your Breast,
Neglect your Guard, and let him get the best;
Then he'll be mild, then you a Kiss may seize,
He'll struggle, but at length comply with ease;
Reluctant, tho' at first you'll find him grow
Ev'n fond, when round your Neck his Arms he'll throw.
For Condescension leads the Way to love.
Go with him where he goes, tho' long the Way,
And the fierce Dog-star fires the sultry Day;
Or the gay Rainbow girds the bluish Sky,
And threatens ratling Show'rs of Rain are nigh.
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Then steer the Wherry with a dext'rous Skill:
Nor think it hard Fatigues and Pains to bear,
But still be ready with a willing Chear.
If he'll inclose the Vales for savage Spoils,
Then on thy Shoulders bear the Notts and Toils
If Fencing be the Fav'rite Sport he'll use,
Take up the Files, and artlesly oppose;
Seem as intent, yet oft expose your Breast,
Neglect your Guard, and let him get the best;
Then he'll be mild, then you a Kiss may seize,
He'll struggle, but at length comply with ease;
Reluctant, tho' at first you'll find him grow
Ev'n fond, when round your Neck his Arms he'll throw.
But ah, these Times pernicious Customs use!
And without Gifts they'll ev'ry one refuse.
Who e'r at first on Presents fix'd his Eye
Upon his Grave, may weighty Ruins lie.
Let Learning and the Muses fav'rite Care,
Who Wealth despise, thy fondest Kindness share;
In Verse the purple Lock of Nisus shines,
And Pelops Iv'ry Shoulder lives in Lines:
Whate'er the Muse recites, while Oaks shall grow
Will last, or Stars shall shine, or Rivers flow.
But who neglects the Muse, and prizes Gain
May he unite himself to Cybel's Train;
And through three hundred scatter'd Cities stray,
Emasculated in the Phrygian Way.
But Venus self will guard the Lover's Cares,
And favour soft Complaints and melting Tears.
And without Gifts they'll ev'ry one refuse.
Who e'r at first on Presents fix'd his Eye
Upon his Grave, may weighty Ruins lie.
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Who Wealth despise, thy fondest Kindness share;
In Verse the purple Lock of Nisus shines,
And Pelops Iv'ry Shoulder lives in Lines:
Whate'er the Muse recites, while Oaks shall grow
Will last, or Stars shall shine, or Rivers flow.
But who neglects the Muse, and prizes Gain
May he unite himself to Cybel's Train;
And through three hundred scatter'd Cities stray,
Emasculated in the Phrygian Way.
But Venus self will guard the Lover's Cares,
And favour soft Complaints and melting Tears.
These things Priapus said, which I again
To Titius sung, but sung them all in Vain;
His Wife forbids to learn such Rules as these,
Let him be govern'd by her if he please.
To Titius sung, but sung them all in Vain;
His Wife forbids to learn such Rules as these,
Let him be govern'd by her if he please.
Me Honour as your Master who employ
Your Arts to gain some lovely blooming Boy.
Each Man his Praise, let Lovers when despis'd,
Repair to me where they may be advis'd.
The time shall be when I shall teach the Young,
My self grown Old, and all the list'ning throng,
Shall gather Venus Precepts from my Tongue.
Your Arts to gain some lovely blooming Boy.
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Repair to me where they may be advis'd.
The time shall be when I shall teach the Young,
My self grown Old, and all the list'ning throng,
Shall gather Venus Precepts from my Tongue.
Alas how Marathus a thousand ways,
Distracts my Soul and kills me with Delays;
No Rules or Precepts serve to gain his Love,
Nor Arts avail, nor any means can move:
Indulge my Love, lest I in time shall grow,
A common Town-talk, and a pointed Show;
Scorn'd and derided by the youthful Train,
For teaching Rules myself must own are vain.
Distracts my Soul and kills me with Delays;
No Rules or Precepts serve to gain his Love,
Nor Arts avail, nor any means can move:
Indulge my Love, lest I in time shall grow,
A common Town-talk, and a pointed Show;
Scorn'd and derided by the youthful Train,
For teaching Rules myself must own are vain.
| The Works of Tibullus | |