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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Chastity.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Chastity.
In
Saturn's Reign, at Nature's early Birth,
There was that Thing call'd Chastity on Earth:
When in a narrow Cave, their common Shade,
The Sheep, the Shepherds, and their Gods were laid:
When Reeds, and Leaves, and Hides of Beasts were spread
By Mountain-Housewives, for their homely Bed,
And mossy Pillows rais'd, for the rude Husband's Head.
Unlike the Niceness of our modern Dames,
(Affected Nymphs, with new affected Names:)
The Cynthias, and the Lesbias of our Years,
Who for a Sparrow's Death dissolve in Tears.
Those first unpolish'd Matrons, big and bold,
Gave suck to Infants of gigantick Mould:
Rough as their savage Lords who rang'd the Wood,
And fat with Acorns, belch'd their windy Food.—
There was that Thing call'd Chastity on Earth:
When in a narrow Cave, their common Shade,
The Sheep, the Shepherds, and their Gods were laid:
When Reeds, and Leaves, and Hides of Beasts were spread
By Mountain-Housewives, for their homely Bed,
And mossy Pillows rais'd, for the rude Husband's Head.
Unlike the Niceness of our modern Dames,
(Affected Nymphs, with new affected Names:)
The Cynthias, and the Lesbias of our Years,
Who for a Sparrow's Death dissolve in Tears.
Those first unpolish'd Matrons, big and bold,
Gave suck to Infants of gigantick Mould:
Rough as their savage Lords who rang'd the Wood,
And fat with Acorns, belch'd their windy Food.—
Some thin Remains of Chastity appear'd
Ev'n under Jove, but Jove without a Beard:
Before the servile Greeks had learn'd to swear
By Heads of Kings: while yet the bounteous Year
Her common Fruits in open Fields expos'd,
E'er Thieves were fear'd, or Gardens were inclos'd.
At length affronted Justice upwards flew,
And Chastity with her:—
From Earth to Heav'n the Sisters both withdrew.
Ev'n under Jove, but Jove without a Beard:
Before the servile Greeks had learn'd to swear
By Heads of Kings: while yet the bounteous Year
151
E'er Thieves were fear'd, or Gardens were inclos'd.
At length affronted Justice upwards flew,
And Chastity with her:—
From Earth to Heav'n the Sisters both withdrew.
From that old Æra whoring did begin,
So venerably ancient is the Sin:
Adult'rers then invade the nuptial State,
And Marriage Beds creak'd with a foreign Weight.
All other Ills did Iron Times adorn,
But Whores and Silver in one Age were born.—
I hear your cautious Counsel, you would say,
So venerably ancient is the Sin:
Adult'rers then invade the nuptial State,
And Marriage Beds creak'd with a foreign Weight.
All other Ills did Iron Times adorn,
But Whores and Silver in one Age were born.—
Keep close your Women under Lock and Key:
But who shall keep those Keepers? Women, nurst
In Craft, begin with those, and bribe them first.
The Sex is turn'd all Whore: they love the Game:
And Mistresses, and Maids, are both the same.—
No ill Man's happy: least of all is He
Whose Study 'tis to ruin Chastity.—
No Art can Chastity when lost restore,
Once forfeited 'tis ne'er recover'd more.—
Strait with the hidden Steel she pierc'd her Side,
And at her Father's Feet fell down and dy'd:
Yet, as she fell, her dying Thoughts contriv'd,
To fall as modestly as she had liv'd.—
Who hates the Ill, as well as fears the Shame:
And that vile Woman whom Restraint keeps in,
Tho' she forbear the Act, has done the Sin,
Spies, Locks, and Bolts, may keep her brutal Part:
But Thou'rt an odious Cuckold in her Heart.—
Unmanner'd I may be, but not unchast;
Nor is my Fame with any Stain defac'd:
Tho' in my Face there's no affected Frown,
Nor a feign'd Niceness in my Carriage shown,
My Honour I preserve without a Stain,
Nor has my Love made any Coxcomb vain.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |