The Second Punick War Between Hannibal, and the Romanes The whole Seventeen Books, Englished from the Latine of Silius Italicus: with A Continuation from the Triumph of Scipio, To the Death of Hannibal. By Tho: Ross |
 |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
The Eleventh Book.
|
| 12. |
| 13. |
| 14. |
| 15. |
| 16. |
| 17. |
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
 | The Second Punick War Between Hannibal, and the Romanes |  |
295
The Eleventh Book.
The Argument.
What People, after Cannæ's Loss forsakeThe Romane Leagues, and part with Libya take.
The Capuans proud Demands at Rome: which She
Contemning forc'd the Messengers to flee
With a Repulse. Strait Capua entertains
The Libyans, which Decius disdains:
His Faith, and Noble Courage: He is sent,
In Chains, to Carthage: whither, as he went,
By Storms, upon Cyrene, he is cast;
Where, rescu'd from the Libyans, at last
He dies. With wanton, and luxurious Feasts
Loose Capua entertains her Libyan Guests.
Amidst their Mirth, the Death of Hannibal
Pactulus Son conspires. Mago, with all
The Spoils of Cannæ, is to Carthage sent,
The People's Acclamations, and Content,
When he arriv'd. He new Supplies demands
Of Men, and Monies: Hanno this withstands.
In fine, Mago prevails, and all, that He.
Requires, the Senate grants by a Decree.
But now what People to the Libyan Side,
And the Sidonian Camp, themselves apply'd,
Through Cannæ's famous Loss, let me unfold.
When Fortune sails, no Mortals long will hold
Their Faith. Their Hands now, openly, they strive
To the perfidious Libyan to give,
Too ready in Mis-fortune to despair!
Before the rest, the cruel Samnites are
Most eager, on Occasion, to renew
Their Hate, and long-concealed Rage to shew.
Next, the unconstant Brutians, who, with Shame,
(Too late) did afterwards the Fact disclaim.
Perfidious Apulians, next to these,
With their ambiguous Arms: then, hating Peace,
The vain Hirpini, who unworthily
Their Faith infring'd. A gen'ral Treachery
(Like the Contagion of some foul Disease)
Through all the Nations spreads: and now with these
Atella, now Calatia (common Fear
Depressing Justice) with their Troops appear,
In the Sidonian Camp. Then, with as bold
Inconstancy, Tarentum (that of old
Phalanthus built) the Romane Yoak deny'd:
Her friendly Gates high Croton open'd wide,
And taught the Thespian Nephews, at the Beck
Of Barb'rous Africans, to yield their Neck.
Like Rage possess'd the Locri, and the Coast,
Where Græcia Major Argive Walls doth boast,
And Windings, wash'd by the Iönian Sea.
These, following the Success of Libya,
And Fortune, in that Errour, fearfull, sware
To lend their Arms to the Sidonian War.
And, now, the stubborn Bord'rers on the Po,
(The Celtæ) strive t'encrease the Romanes Wo
Again, and, mindfull of their antient Hate,
With all their Strength, themselves associate.
But, whither is't more just, this impious War
To th'Celtæ, or the Boii to refer?
Or rather Capua's Madness; so to please
The Cruel Nation of the Senones?
And who would think those Walls, that, first, did rise
From Dardan Hands, and did, til I then, despise
The Friendship of a Barb'rous Tyrant, now,
At such a Time, so great a Change should show?
But Luxury, and Ease, that long had bin
Nurs'd in their Brothels; and, through frequent Sin
All Shame, all Modesty consum'd, beside
Infamous Honour, that, alone, rely'd
On Wealth, with Idleness, the City, void
Of Laws, and lazy People, quite destroy'd.
And then a cruel Pride provok'd their Fall:
Their Vices want no Aids; for none, of all
Th'Ausonian People, had a larger Store
Of Gold (so full a Sail their Fortune bore)
Then they: their long-Sleev'd Robes Assyrian Dy
Enrich'd; they Feast, with high Regality,
Ev'n in the midst of Day; soon, as the Sun
Diffus'd his Light, their Banquets they begun;
Their wanton Lives all Stains of Vices bear:
Beside, the Senate to the People were
Severe: the People, through the Senate's Hate
Incens'd, Seditions raise; and, with Debate,
Divide their Hearts: The Head-strong Youth, meanwhile,
Their Crimes encrease; and greater Sins defile
The Aged. And then such, as were of Base
Extraction, and whom an Ignoble Race
Defam'd, their Falling Countrey's Reins desire
To guide, and to the Chief Command aspire.
With Slaughter, likewise, 'twas their Use, of old,
T'exhilarate their Banquets, and behold
Dire Spectacles of such, as with the Sword
Contend, mix'd with the Feast; while on the Board,
Besmear'd with Gore, the very Goblets swell
Not more with Wine, then Blood of those, that fell.
And the Sidonian Camp, themselves apply'd,
Through Cannæ's famous Loss, let me unfold.
When Fortune sails, no Mortals long will hold
296
To the perfidious Libyan to give,
Too ready in Mis-fortune to despair!
Before the rest, the cruel Samnites are
Most eager, on Occasion, to renew
Their Hate, and long-concealed Rage to shew.
Next, the unconstant Brutians, who, with Shame,
(Too late) did afterwards the Fact disclaim.
Perfidious Apulians, next to these,
With their ambiguous Arms: then, hating Peace,
The vain Hirpini, who unworthily
Their Faith infring'd. A gen'ral Treachery
(Like the Contagion of some foul Disease)
Through all the Nations spreads: and now with these
Atella, now Calatia (common Fear
Depressing Justice) with their Troops appear,
In the Sidonian Camp. Then, with as bold
Inconstancy, Tarentum (that of old
Phalanthus built) the Romane Yoak deny'd:
Her friendly Gates high Croton open'd wide,
And taught the Thespian Nephews, at the Beck
Of Barb'rous Africans, to yield their Neck.
Like Rage possess'd the Locri, and the Coast,
Where Græcia Major Argive Walls doth boast,
And Windings, wash'd by the Iönian Sea.
These, following the Success of Libya,
And Fortune, in that Errour, fearfull, sware
To lend their Arms to the Sidonian War.
And, now, the stubborn Bord'rers on the Po,
(The Celtæ) strive t'encrease the Romanes Wo
Again, and, mindfull of their antient Hate,
With all their Strength, themselves associate.
But, whither is't more just, this impious War
To th'Celtæ, or the Boii to refer?
297
The Cruel Nation of the Senones?
And who would think those Walls, that, first, did rise
From Dardan Hands, and did, til I then, despise
The Friendship of a Barb'rous Tyrant, now,
At such a Time, so great a Change should show?
But Luxury, and Ease, that long had bin
Nurs'd in their Brothels; and, through frequent Sin
All Shame, all Modesty consum'd, beside
Infamous Honour, that, alone, rely'd
On Wealth, with Idleness, the City, void
Of Laws, and lazy People, quite destroy'd.
And then a cruel Pride provok'd their Fall:
Their Vices want no Aids; for none, of all
Th'Ausonian People, had a larger Store
Of Gold (so full a Sail their Fortune bore)
Then they: their long-Sleev'd Robes Assyrian Dy
Enrich'd; they Feast, with high Regality,
Ev'n in the midst of Day; soon, as the Sun
Diffus'd his Light, their Banquets they begun;
Their wanton Lives all Stains of Vices bear:
Beside, the Senate to the People were
Severe: the People, through the Senate's Hate
Incens'd, Seditions raise; and, with Debate,
Divide their Hearts: The Head-strong Youth, meanwhile,
Their Crimes encrease; and greater Sins defile
The Aged. And then such, as were of Base
Extraction, and whom an Ignoble Race
Defam'd, their Falling Countrey's Reins desire
To guide, and to the Chief Command aspire.
With Slaughter, likewise, 'twas their Use, of old,
T'exhilarate their Banquets, and behold
Dire Spectacles of such, as with the Sword
Contend, mix'd with the Feast; while on the Board,
298
Not more with Wine, then Blood of those, that fell.
With Cunning, These (that to the Tyrians He
Their Minds, deprav'd, might turn more eagerly)
The Libyan Prince attempts. Because He knew
Rome (notwithstanding all that Chance could do)
Would never yield. 'Twas easie to procure
What He desir'd: Pactulus (not obscure
For Guilt in this) He Counsels to require
A Share in Government, and to desire,
That, with a Sociate Consul, he might bear
Alternate Fasces. If an equal Share
To Him, in Pow'r, and Honour, they deny'd,
Nor to behold two Axes would abide,
He, a Revenger, in their View, would stand
Of that Repulse. Therefore a Chosen Band
With Speed was sent, and Virius (who the rest
In Eloquence excell'd) himself addrest,
Chief in the Embassie. His Birth, indeed,
Was mean; But yet his Fury did exceed
All else. Scarce what was impiously desir'd
By th'frantick People had He told, and fir'd
Their Ears with swelling Words, when a loud Cry,
From the whole Counsel rising, did deny
His Message with unanimous Disdain.
Then ev'ry One upbraids him, and the Fane,
Through the Contention of their Voices, shook:
And here the brave Torquatus, with a Look,
Grave as his Grand-sire's, said. Dost Thou presume
(Oh Capua!) such Messengers should come
Within the Walls of Rome? 'Gainst which to bear
Their Arms, nor Hannibal, nor Carthage dare,
After their Cannæ? Hath 't not touch'd your Ear,
That, when in the Tarpeian Temple, here,
The Latines proudly urg'd the like Demands:
Not with a Vote, or Words, but furious Hands
They were repuls'd, and He, who hither brought,
And with proud Language utter'd what they sought,
With so great Violence, was Headlong thrown,
Out at the Temple-Gates, that, bruis'd upon
The fatal Rock, he there did expiate,
In View of Jove, his Language, by his Fate?
And I, his Off-Spring, who that Oratour,
Then, from this Palace of the Thunderer
Expell'd, and Consul, with his naked Hand,
Defender of the Capitol did stand,
This Mad-man, who appears, with threatning Eys,
To view these Trophies of Rome's Victories,
And his Fore-Father's Faction to pursue.—
Their Minds, deprav'd, might turn more eagerly)
The Libyan Prince attempts. Because He knew
Rome (notwithstanding all that Chance could do)
Would never yield. 'Twas easie to procure
What He desir'd: Pactulus (not obscure
For Guilt in this) He Counsels to require
A Share in Government, and to desire,
That, with a Sociate Consul, he might bear
Alternate Fasces. If an equal Share
To Him, in Pow'r, and Honour, they deny'd,
Nor to behold two Axes would abide,
He, a Revenger, in their View, would stand
Of that Repulse. Therefore a Chosen Band
With Speed was sent, and Virius (who the rest
In Eloquence excell'd) himself addrest,
Chief in the Embassie. His Birth, indeed,
Was mean; But yet his Fury did exceed
All else. Scarce what was impiously desir'd
By th'frantick People had He told, and fir'd
Their Ears with swelling Words, when a loud Cry,
From the whole Counsel rising, did deny
His Message with unanimous Disdain.
Then ev'ry One upbraids him, and the Fane,
Through the Contention of their Voices, shook:
And here the brave Torquatus, with a Look,
Grave as his Grand-sire's, said. Dost Thou presume
(Oh Capua!) such Messengers should come
Within the Walls of Rome? 'Gainst which to bear
Their Arms, nor Hannibal, nor Carthage dare,
After their Cannæ? Hath 't not touch'd your Ear,
That, when in the Tarpeian Temple, here,
299
Not with a Vote, or Words, but furious Hands
They were repuls'd, and He, who hither brought,
And with proud Language utter'd what they sought,
With so great Violence, was Headlong thrown,
Out at the Temple-Gates, that, bruis'd upon
The fatal Rock, he there did expiate,
In View of Jove, his Language, by his Fate?
And I, his Off-Spring, who that Oratour,
Then, from this Palace of the Thunderer
Expell'd, and Consul, with his naked Hand,
Defender of the Capitol did stand,
This Mad-man, who appears, with threatning Eys,
To view these Trophies of Rome's Victories,
And his Fore-Father's Faction to pursue.—
Vex'd Fabius seeing, that He fiercer grew,
In this Dispute, thus interposing, said,
Oh Impudence! Behold that Seat is made
Vacant by Storms of War, and whom of all
Your Crew (I pray) do you intend to call,
And substitute in Noble Paulus Place?
Doth thy Lot, Virius, with the Senate's Grace,
Cite Thee, before all other? Or doth now
The Purple to our Bruti Thee allow
As equal? Go thou Fool, go thither, where
Perfidious Carthage may, for Thee, prepare
Her Fasces. As with Heat he this Exprest,
Impatient ev'n with Sighs, within his Breast
Longer to keep his Anger (that thus broke,
Like Thunder, forth) aloud Marcellus spoke.
How dull a Patience (Varro) doth thy Minde
Possess? Confounded with this stormy Winde
Of War, so much, that, now a Consul, Thou
These mad, vain Dreams, art able to allow?
Why dost thou not, from hence, these Headlong throw
Out at the Gates? and make these Half-men know
How great a Pow'r the Consuls have, that be
Created by Our Custom? And, let Me
Advise (Thou, never-sober Youth! whose Fall
Is nigh) fly quickly hence. Our General
Shall, Arm'd, before your Walls an Answer make,
Such, as is meet. With that, they all forsake
Their Seats, and, with loud Clamours, press upon
The Capuans, who hasted to be gone;
While Virius, vex'd at that Repulse, lets fall
In murmur'd Threats, the Name of Hannibal.
In this Dispute, thus interposing, said,
Oh Impudence! Behold that Seat is made
Vacant by Storms of War, and whom of all
Your Crew (I pray) do you intend to call,
And substitute in Noble Paulus Place?
Doth thy Lot, Virius, with the Senate's Grace,
Cite Thee, before all other? Or doth now
The Purple to our Bruti Thee allow
As equal? Go thou Fool, go thither, where
Perfidious Carthage may, for Thee, prepare
Her Fasces. As with Heat he this Exprest,
Impatient ev'n with Sighs, within his Breast
Longer to keep his Anger (that thus broke,
Like Thunder, forth) aloud Marcellus spoke.
How dull a Patience (Varro) doth thy Minde
Possess? Confounded with this stormy Winde
Of War, so much, that, now a Consul, Thou
These mad, vain Dreams, art able to allow?
300
Out at the Gates? and make these Half-men know
How great a Pow'r the Consuls have, that be
Created by Our Custom? And, let Me
Advise (Thou, never-sober Youth! whose Fall
Is nigh) fly quickly hence. Our General
Shall, Arm'd, before your Walls an Answer make,
Such, as is meet. With that, they all forsake
Their Seats, and, with loud Clamours, press upon
The Capuans, who hasted to be gone;
While Virius, vex'd at that Repulse, lets fall
In murmur'd Threats, the Name of Hannibal.
But Fulvius, the Presages of whose Minde
His future Honour at that Time Divin'd,
And falling Capua's Image 'fore his Eys
Appear'd, Replies; Though, Crown'd with Victories,
Thou, Hannibal, His Neck in Chains, to Rome
Shouldst bring; Yet ne're, hereafter, shalt Thou come
Within these Sacred Walls: then take Thy Flight
(I pray Thee) whither Thy sick Thoughts invite.
At length, this angry Answer of the vext
Senate they bore away, with Threatning mixt.
His future Honour at that Time Divin'd,
And falling Capua's Image 'fore his Eys
Appear'd, Replies; Though, Crown'd with Victories,
Thou, Hannibal, His Neck in Chains, to Rome
Shouldst bring; Yet ne're, hereafter, shalt Thou come
Within these Sacred Walls: then take Thy Flight
(I pray Thee) whither Thy sick Thoughts invite.
At length, this angry Answer of the vext
Senate they bore away, with Threatning mixt.
Is it thy Will, Great Jove, that Fates should ly
Still Buried in so great Obscurity
An Age more happy shall hereafter come,
When a Campanian Consul Pious Rome
Shall gladly entertain, and shall afford
Secure those Fasces, of Her own Accord,
To valiant Nephews, that were long deny'd
Through Arms, & War: but of their Grand-sire's Pride
This shall a lasting Punishment remain.
Rome shall as soon the Suffrage entertain
Of Carthage, as of Capua. This Reply
When Virius, intermixing cunningly
Fiction with Truth, did, with the Fates, declare:
The Fatal Signal of a Bloody War
Was giv'n, and the Campanian Youth, inspir'd
With Fury, Arms, and Hannibal desir'd.
The People, flocking from all Parts, invite
The Libyans to their Houses, and recite
What mighty Things the Libyan Prince hath done:
How He, like Hercules, had over-run
The Alps; and, in His Course, had pass'd those high
Aspiring Rocks, that to the Gods are nigh.
Who had, a Conquerour, choak'd up the Stream
Of Po, with Slaughter: And, how He (the same
Great Conqu'rour) troubled with Ausonian Blood
The Lydian Lake: and Banks of Trebia's Flood
Transmitted had, with an Eternal Name,
To Fame: How He Flaminius overcame,
And Paulus (Consuls) whom in Fight He slew.
Beside, how He Sagunthus overthrew,
In His first War. And then Pyrene's Heights,
Iberus, and His Father's Stygian Rites
They all extoll, and th'War, which long before
He, in His Childehood, at the Altar swore.
And, then, so many Gen'rals overthrown
In Fight; so many slain, that He, alone,
By all the Weapons of the Gods did stand
Untouch'd, in Battel. While He did command,
With such a Person therefore, they should joyn
Their Hands, and with Him, in a League, combine:
But, if that Bloodless People's high Disdain,
Vain Contumacy, and that Citie's Reign,
That equal Laws, and Fasces had deny'd,
(As to their Servants) Capua would abide:
Varro was then to be preferr'd, that He,
Consul, in Purple, might more Glorious flee.
Still Buried in so great Obscurity
An Age more happy shall hereafter come,
When a Campanian Consul Pious Rome
Shall gladly entertain, and shall afford
Secure those Fasces, of Her own Accord,
To valiant Nephews, that were long deny'd
Through Arms, & War: but of their Grand-sire's Pride
This shall a lasting Punishment remain.
Rome shall as soon the Suffrage entertain
Of Carthage, as of Capua. This Reply
When Virius, intermixing cunningly
301
The Fatal Signal of a Bloody War
Was giv'n, and the Campanian Youth, inspir'd
With Fury, Arms, and Hannibal desir'd.
The People, flocking from all Parts, invite
The Libyans to their Houses, and recite
What mighty Things the Libyan Prince hath done:
How He, like Hercules, had over-run
The Alps; and, in His Course, had pass'd those high
Aspiring Rocks, that to the Gods are nigh.
Who had, a Conquerour, choak'd up the Stream
Of Po, with Slaughter: And, how He (the same
Great Conqu'rour) troubled with Ausonian Blood
The Lydian Lake: and Banks of Trebia's Flood
Transmitted had, with an Eternal Name,
To Fame: How He Flaminius overcame,
And Paulus (Consuls) whom in Fight He slew.
Beside, how He Sagunthus overthrew,
In His first War. And then Pyrene's Heights,
Iberus, and His Father's Stygian Rites
They all extoll, and th'War, which long before
He, in His Childehood, at the Altar swore.
And, then, so many Gen'rals overthrown
In Fight; so many slain, that He, alone,
By all the Weapons of the Gods did stand
Untouch'd, in Battel. While He did command,
With such a Person therefore, they should joyn
Their Hands, and with Him, in a League, combine:
But, if that Bloodless People's high Disdain,
Vain Contumacy, and that Citie's Reign,
That equal Laws, and Fasces had deny'd,
(As to their Servants) Capua would abide:
Varro was then to be preferr'd, that He,
Consul, in Purple, might more Glorious flee.
302
Thus boasting, they, by Lot, choice Men prepare
To send, that with the Tyrians might swear
A League: but Decius, then, the sole Renown
Of Capua, in his Breast reserv'd, alone,
Unconquer'd Courage: and, receiv'd into
The Midst of the Assembly (for He knew
He might not long delay) Why do ye make
Such Haste, dear Countreymen (said He) to break
Our Father's Laws? And, thus, to entertain
Into your Families that guilty Man,
For breaking of the League, condemned by
The Altars? How is thus all Memory
Of Justice lost? 'Tis Noble, still in great
Affairs, with private Men, or with a State,
To keep Faith in Distress. Time doth invite
Us now, for the Rutulians to fight:
Now should our Armies move, our Ensigns fly,
While their State totters, and a Remedy
Their Wounds require. That Kindness is, alone,
That's offer'd, when Prosperity is done,
And that gives Aid, where Fortune is declin'd.
For 'tis no Honour to a gallant Minde,
To hug the Fortunate. Then hearken now
To Me, their Souls like to the Gods I know,
And Hearts still greater, then their greatest Ills.
Believe Me, Them nor Thrasimenus fills,
Cannæ nor Paulus Memorable Fate:
Ev'n These are they, that with their Arms did beat
The Fo, fix'd on your Walls, and Capua
From the proud Samnites rescu'd: These are they,
Who gave you Laws, who all your Fears expell'd,
And which the Sidicinian Army quell'd.
Then what Allies, through Malice, do you fly?
Or, rather, whom d'ye entertain? Shall I,
A Trojan, who from Father Capys came,
To whom he left his Sacred Rites, and Name
From Jove, of great Iulus Kin, shall I
Among these Half-men (Nasamonians) ly?
Or 'mong the barb'rous Garamantians (which,
In Grinning, salvage Beasts resemble) pitch
My Tent; mix'd with Marmarick Troopers? Or
Shall I endure a General, that for
The League, and Justice takes his Sword? and Praise
From Blood alone unto Himself doth raise?
No; Right, and Wrong, your Decius does not mix
With such Indifference, that he should fix
On such a Choice: you with no Good so great
Hath cruel Nature Arm'd, as with the Gate
Of Death; which, alwaies-open, gives you Pow'r
To leave a tedious Life, at any Hour.
To send, that with the Tyrians might swear
A League: but Decius, then, the sole Renown
Of Capua, in his Breast reserv'd, alone,
Unconquer'd Courage: and, receiv'd into
The Midst of the Assembly (for He knew
He might not long delay) Why do ye make
Such Haste, dear Countreymen (said He) to break
Our Father's Laws? And, thus, to entertain
Into your Families that guilty Man,
For breaking of the League, condemned by
The Altars? How is thus all Memory
Of Justice lost? 'Tis Noble, still in great
Affairs, with private Men, or with a State,
To keep Faith in Distress. Time doth invite
Us now, for the Rutulians to fight:
Now should our Armies move, our Ensigns fly,
While their State totters, and a Remedy
Their Wounds require. That Kindness is, alone,
That's offer'd, when Prosperity is done,
And that gives Aid, where Fortune is declin'd.
For 'tis no Honour to a gallant Minde,
To hug the Fortunate. Then hearken now
To Me, their Souls like to the Gods I know,
And Hearts still greater, then their greatest Ills.
Believe Me, Them nor Thrasimenus fills,
Cannæ nor Paulus Memorable Fate:
Ev'n These are they, that with their Arms did beat
The Fo, fix'd on your Walls, and Capua
From the proud Samnites rescu'd: These are they,
Who gave you Laws, who all your Fears expell'd,
And which the Sidicinian Army quell'd.
Then what Allies, through Malice, do you fly?
Or, rather, whom d'ye entertain? Shall I,
303
To whom he left his Sacred Rites, and Name
From Jove, of great Iulus Kin, shall I
Among these Half-men (Nasamonians) ly?
Or 'mong the barb'rous Garamantians (which,
In Grinning, salvage Beasts resemble) pitch
My Tent; mix'd with Marmarick Troopers? Or
Shall I endure a General, that for
The League, and Justice takes his Sword? and Praise
From Blood alone unto Himself doth raise?
No; Right, and Wrong, your Decius does not mix
With such Indifference, that he should fix
On such a Choice: you with no Good so great
Hath cruel Nature Arm'd, as with the Gate
Of Death; which, alwaies-open, gives you Pow'r
To leave a tedious Life, at any Hour.
Thus, to their Ears averse, while Decius spent
His Breath in Vain, a chosen Regiment
Made League with Hannibal: and, strait, a Band
Of light Autololes, with Noise, at Hand
Appear'd, sent by the General before,
While He, with a great Body, Marcheth o're
The Plains with Speed; and Decius agen
Exclaims, Come; now's the Time (dear Countreymen)
The Hour's arriv'd, while, following Me, you may
Perform an Action, worthy Capua.
Now let Us all those Barb'rous Troops destroy;
Let ev'ry one strive soly to enjoy
That Honour; if the Fo approach, the Gate
Obstruct with Carcases, and expiate
This Errour with your Swords. Such Blood alone
Can purge your guilty Souls from what is done.
While this (in Vain) to all unpleasant, He
Express'd; inform'd of his Severity,
With an Heart full of Rage, the Libyan stands
Before the Walls, and, instantly, Commands
The Deputies into the Camp to send
For Decius, whom rought Valour did commend,
And a Breast arm'd with Faith; a Soul inclin'd
To Justice, and then Capua a Minde
More great; who, with undaunted Courage, took
Those menacing Commands: and, with a Look
Most fierce, as bitter Words returns again.
The Libyan Him, so full of brave Disdain,
Amidst so many Arms, and Ensigns, thus
Aloud upbraids: After Flaminius,
And after Paulus, We are challeng'd! See!
Alass! mad Decius would contend with Me,
To give a Fame, and Honour to his Fall!
But hence, my Souldiers, quickly march, with all
Your Ensigns, and, in Spight of Him, to Me
Let the Campanian City open'd be.
What new Wars He can raise I'de, gladly, try
'Gainst Us, to whom the Alps did openly,
And Rocks, that strike at Heav'n, o're which a God
Alone (before Impregnable) had trod.
With that He, angry, blush'd, and from His Eys,
Through Fury kindled, sudden Flames arise,
And, foaming at his Mouth, deep Sighs he draws,
That break, in dreadfull Murmurs, from his Jaws.
His Breath in Vain, a chosen Regiment
Made League with Hannibal: and, strait, a Band
Of light Autololes, with Noise, at Hand
Appear'd, sent by the General before,
While He, with a great Body, Marcheth o're
The Plains with Speed; and Decius agen
Exclaims, Come; now's the Time (dear Countreymen)
The Hour's arriv'd, while, following Me, you may
Perform an Action, worthy Capua.
Now let Us all those Barb'rous Troops destroy;
Let ev'ry one strive soly to enjoy
That Honour; if the Fo approach, the Gate
Obstruct with Carcases, and expiate
This Errour with your Swords. Such Blood alone
Can purge your guilty Souls from what is done.
While this (in Vain) to all unpleasant, He
Express'd; inform'd of his Severity,
304
Before the Walls, and, instantly, Commands
The Deputies into the Camp to send
For Decius, whom rought Valour did commend,
And a Breast arm'd with Faith; a Soul inclin'd
To Justice, and then Capua a Minde
More great; who, with undaunted Courage, took
Those menacing Commands: and, with a Look
Most fierce, as bitter Words returns again.
The Libyan Him, so full of brave Disdain,
Amidst so many Arms, and Ensigns, thus
Aloud upbraids: After Flaminius,
And after Paulus, We are challeng'd! See!
Alass! mad Decius would contend with Me,
To give a Fame, and Honour to his Fall!
But hence, my Souldiers, quickly march, with all
Your Ensigns, and, in Spight of Him, to Me
Let the Campanian City open'd be.
What new Wars He can raise I'de, gladly, try
'Gainst Us, to whom the Alps did openly,
And Rocks, that strike at Heav'n, o're which a God
Alone (before Impregnable) had trod.
With that He, angry, blush'd, and from His Eys,
Through Fury kindled, sudden Flames arise,
And, foaming at his Mouth, deep Sighs he draws,
That break, in dreadfull Murmurs, from his Jaws.
By the whole Senate thus attended, Hee
The City enters; and, his Face to see
The People flocking round, He venteth all
The Storms of his dire Rage, and burning Gall;
While the approaching Dangers more enflame
Brave Decius Minde, who saw the Instant came
Of Time, wherein He was to vanquish all
The Praise of an Unconquer'd General.
Him neither Flight, nor Barricado'd Doors
Conceal. But Free, as if no Libyan Pow'rs,
No Hannibal, were then, within the Town,
He, with a Fearless Look, walks up, and down;
When strait, with cruel Arms, a furious Band
Seis'd Him, and forc'd Him at the Feet to stand
Of Hannibal; who, on a lofty Throne,
A Conqu'rour sate, and, with a Thundring Tone,
This bitter Language vents. Dost Thou presume,
Alone, to under-prop declining Rome,
And rescue Her from Ruin? Thou Fool, say;
Which of the Gods from Me shall take away
So great Enjoyments? Or, was I, to be
Subdu'd, reserv'd (dull Decius) to Thee?
Weak Decius! To whom no Woman, born
In Agenorean Carthage, but would scorn
To Yield. But Him (for why such high Disdains
Should We endure?) Fast in deserved Chains
(My Souldiers) binde. Scarce He an End had made
Of Railing; when stout Decius they invade,
And binde, with Chains, His Hands upon His Back.
Then, as a Lyon, on the lofty Neck
Of a young Bull, amidst the Herd, doth leap,
And murmuring with Rage, Victorious, deep
Into his trembling Flesh his Claws hath prest,
There hanging, feeds upon the groaning Beast:
So Decius raging, while His Chains they binde,
Come speedily (for such We ought to finde
Thy Entrance Hannibal) these Chains, the Prize
Of this unhappy League, close binde, (He cries)
So Decius may a Worthy Victime fall:
For 'tis not fit, that Thou, who placest all
Delight in Humane Blood, shouldst Sacrifice
Bulls to the Gods. Let Capua, in this,
Behold thy Right-Hand; see thy League: as yet
The Court Thou hast not enter'd, nor hast set
Thy Foot with in the Temples; but We see
The Prison's open'd by the Cruelty
Of Thy Commands. Go on, and give Encrease
To Thy Beginnings, by such Acts, as these:
Fame shall to Me, when Dead, hereafter tell,
That Hannibal in Capua's Ruins fell.
But, here, they stop'd His Speech, and o're His Head,
To blinde His Eys, a Fatal Robe was spread,
And strait He's dragg'd away, in View of all
His Friends: and then Triumphing Hannibal,
With a more quiet Minde, and calmer Look,
Goes on; and, viewing all about Him, took
Survey of all the Buildings in the Town,
And Temples, and, what's worthy to be known
Enquires; Who built the Walls; What Numbers are
In Arms; How Great their Treasure was for War:
What was their Strength of Horse; How great withall
Their Infantry? To Him their Arcenal
They shew, and Stellate Fields with Store of Corn.
The City enters; and, his Face to see
The People flocking round, He venteth all
The Storms of his dire Rage, and burning Gall;
While the approaching Dangers more enflame
Brave Decius Minde, who saw the Instant came
Of Time, wherein He was to vanquish all
The Praise of an Unconquer'd General.
305
Conceal. But Free, as if no Libyan Pow'rs,
No Hannibal, were then, within the Town,
He, with a Fearless Look, walks up, and down;
When strait, with cruel Arms, a furious Band
Seis'd Him, and forc'd Him at the Feet to stand
Of Hannibal; who, on a lofty Throne,
A Conqu'rour sate, and, with a Thundring Tone,
This bitter Language vents. Dost Thou presume,
Alone, to under-prop declining Rome,
And rescue Her from Ruin? Thou Fool, say;
Which of the Gods from Me shall take away
So great Enjoyments? Or, was I, to be
Subdu'd, reserv'd (dull Decius) to Thee?
Weak Decius! To whom no Woman, born
In Agenorean Carthage, but would scorn
To Yield. But Him (for why such high Disdains
Should We endure?) Fast in deserved Chains
(My Souldiers) binde. Scarce He an End had made
Of Railing; when stout Decius they invade,
And binde, with Chains, His Hands upon His Back.
Then, as a Lyon, on the lofty Neck
Of a young Bull, amidst the Herd, doth leap,
And murmuring with Rage, Victorious, deep
Into his trembling Flesh his Claws hath prest,
There hanging, feeds upon the groaning Beast:
So Decius raging, while His Chains they binde,
Come speedily (for such We ought to finde
Thy Entrance Hannibal) these Chains, the Prize
Of this unhappy League, close binde, (He cries)
So Decius may a Worthy Victime fall:
For 'tis not fit, that Thou, who placest all
Delight in Humane Blood, shouldst Sacrifice
Bulls to the Gods. Let Capua, in this,
306
The Court Thou hast not enter'd, nor hast set
Thy Foot with in the Temples; but We see
The Prison's open'd by the Cruelty
Of Thy Commands. Go on, and give Encrease
To Thy Beginnings, by such Acts, as these:
Fame shall to Me, when Dead, hereafter tell,
That Hannibal in Capua's Ruins fell.
But, here, they stop'd His Speech, and o're His Head,
To blinde His Eys, a Fatal Robe was spread,
And strait He's dragg'd away, in View of all
His Friends: and then Triumphing Hannibal,
With a more quiet Minde, and calmer Look,
Goes on; and, viewing all about Him, took
Survey of all the Buildings in the Town,
And Temples, and, what's worthy to be known
Enquires; Who built the Walls; What Numbers are
In Arms; How Great their Treasure was for War:
What was their Strength of Horse; How great withall
Their Infantry? To Him their Arcenal
They shew, and Stellate Fields with Store of Corn.
The Day now Phœbus to his Bounds had born,
With weary Steeds, and Hesp'rus, by Degrees,
Obscur'd his Chariot, hasting to the Seas:
When they (as Custom was) their Feasts prepare,
And, through the City, crown with Royal Fare
Their stately Tables. Of the Honour He,
And Entertainment of a Deity,
Thought worthy, sits aloft upon a Bed
Of Purple; that far off its Rays doth spread.
Nor was the Troop of Servants single; some
Serve in the Meat; others burn rich Perfume;
The sev'ral Dishes some, in Order, joyn;
Some serve in Drinke, and Antique Goblets shine,
Of massive Gold, upon the Tables; Night,
By num'rous Tapers Flames, is put to Flight:
With Noise of those, that Up, and Down, do go
The high-Roof'd Palace rings. A Stranger to
Such lautious Banquets, with a wondring Eye,
The unknown Face of Stately Luxury
The Tyrian Souldier views: with Silence He
Feeds on, and blames such Prodigality
In Banqueting; and, that such Troops of Guests
Were entertain'd, at their delicious Feasts.
With weary Steeds, and Hesp'rus, by Degrees,
Obscur'd his Chariot, hasting to the Seas:
When they (as Custom was) their Feasts prepare,
And, through the City, crown with Royal Fare
Their stately Tables. Of the Honour He,
And Entertainment of a Deity,
Thought worthy, sits aloft upon a Bed
Of Purple; that far off its Rays doth spread.
Nor was the Troop of Servants single; some
Serve in the Meat; others burn rich Perfume;
The sev'ral Dishes some, in Order, joyn;
Some serve in Drinke, and Antique Goblets shine,
307
By num'rous Tapers Flames, is put to Flight:
With Noise of those, that Up, and Down, do go
The high-Roof'd Palace rings. A Stranger to
Such lautious Banquets, with a wondring Eye,
The unknown Face of Stately Luxury
The Tyrian Souldier views: with Silence He
Feeds on, and blames such Prodigality
In Banqueting; and, that such Troops of Guests
Were entertain'd, at their delicious Feasts.
But when, at Length, His Hunger was allay'd,
And His rough Mind, with Wine, more Frolick made;
When Mirth upon His smoother Brow did rest,
And weightier Cares were banish'd from His Breast:
Cymæan Teuthras his Euboick Lyre
Tun'd, and His Ears, dull'd, with the Trumpet's Dire
Alarms, in War, with pleasant Eyrs delights.
Now Jove he sings, and his stoln Loves recites:
Electra's Bed (of Atlas Race was She)
From whence sprung Dardanus; a Progeny
Worthy the Gods: how, to Immortal Jove
Thence Ericthonius did a Nephew prove:
Whence Tros, whence Ilus came, and, in a long
Descent, Assaracus: at Length, He sung
Capys, who equal was in Deeds, and Fame,
To All, and gave unto those Walls their Name.
The Carthaginians, and Campanians, all
Applaud his Lays: and, first, the General,
With all due Rites, a Goblet Crown'd with Wine
Pays to the Honour of the Pow'rs Divine;
The Rest Him follow, and, instructed by
Their Custom, Bacchus Juice flows lib'rally
Upon the Boards, and fires their swelling Veins.
And His rough Mind, with Wine, more Frolick made;
When Mirth upon His smoother Brow did rest,
And weightier Cares were banish'd from His Breast:
Cymæan Teuthras his Euboick Lyre
Tun'd, and His Ears, dull'd, with the Trumpet's Dire
Alarms, in War, with pleasant Eyrs delights.
Now Jove he sings, and his stoln Loves recites:
Electra's Bed (of Atlas Race was She)
From whence sprung Dardanus; a Progeny
Worthy the Gods: how, to Immortal Jove
Thence Ericthonius did a Nephew prove:
Whence Tros, whence Ilus came, and, in a long
Descent, Assaracus: at Length, He sung
Capys, who equal was in Deeds, and Fame,
To All, and gave unto those Walls their Name.
The Carthaginians, and Campanians, all
Applaud his Lays: and, first, the General,
With all due Rites, a Goblet Crown'd with Wine
Pays to the Honour of the Pow'rs Divine;
The Rest Him follow, and, instructed by
Their Custom, Bacchus Juice flows lib'rally
Upon the Boards, and fires their swelling Veins.
And, now, the Tyrians having giv'n the Reins
To Mirth, a Valiant Soul, untouch'd with Wine,
(For willingly, brave Youth, Thy high Design,
Worthy all Memory, I'le not pass by
In Silence; nor deserved Fame deny
To Thy Attempts, which, though Imperfect, yet
Were clearest Demonstrations of a Great,
And Noble Courage) from all Venom free
Of Drink, the Honour ponder'd, silently
Within his Breast, of a Sidonian Fight,
And Death; and, that this Sacred Motion might
The rather be admir'd, Pactulus Son
Condemn'd those Arts His Father had begun.
He, closely following behinde His Sire,
Who, with the Feast oppress'd, did, Slow, retire
From the throng'd Palace, when He found a Time
To open what He thought, and tell to Him
His new Design; and when the Place was free
Behinde Them, from the Palace: Hear (said He)
My Resolution, worthy Capua,
And Us, (with that, turning His Gown away,
He shew'd His Armed Side) I now intend,
With this My Sword, this cruel War to end,
And bear the Libyan's Head to Jove: this Sword
Shall ratifie this Infamous Accord,
Made such by His Deceits; but, if Your Age
Cannot, in so great Spectacles, engage,
Or, tyr'd with greater Deeds, now fearfull be,
You may securely Home retire, and Me
Leave to my Thoughts. Thou Hannibal dost prize
As Chief, and to the Gods dost equalize:
But how much Greater, then a Libyan Name,
Will Thy Son be? With that a Dreadfull Flame
Seem'd from His Mouth to issue, and the Man
Already in his Minde the War began.
308
(For willingly, brave Youth, Thy high Design,
Worthy all Memory, I'le not pass by
In Silence; nor deserved Fame deny
To Thy Attempts, which, though Imperfect, yet
Were clearest Demonstrations of a Great,
And Noble Courage) from all Venom free
Of Drink, the Honour ponder'd, silently
Within his Breast, of a Sidonian Fight,
And Death; and, that this Sacred Motion might
The rather be admir'd, Pactulus Son
Condemn'd those Arts His Father had begun.
He, closely following behinde His Sire,
Who, with the Feast oppress'd, did, Slow, retire
From the throng'd Palace, when He found a Time
To open what He thought, and tell to Him
His new Design; and when the Place was free
Behinde Them, from the Palace: Hear (said He)
My Resolution, worthy Capua,
And Us, (with that, turning His Gown away,
He shew'd His Armed Side) I now intend,
With this My Sword, this cruel War to end,
And bear the Libyan's Head to Jove: this Sword
Shall ratifie this Infamous Accord,
Made such by His Deceits; but, if Your Age
Cannot, in so great Spectacles, engage,
Or, tyr'd with greater Deeds, now fearfull be,
You may securely Home retire, and Me
Leave to my Thoughts. Thou Hannibal dost prize
As Chief, and to the Gods dost equalize:
But how much Greater, then a Libyan Name,
Will Thy Son be? With that a Dreadfull Flame
Seem'd from His Mouth to issue, and the Man
Already in his Minde the War began.
309
But the Old Man, who, with a troubled Ear,
The Weight of a Design, so great, did bear,
Trembling, before Him sell, upon the Place.
And, as He did, with Kisses, oft imbrace
His Feet; Dear Son, by what remains to Me
Of Life, and by a Father's Rights (said He)
And by thy Safety (dearer far, then mine
To Me) desist (I pray) from this Design;
Let me not see Our Hospitality
With Murther stain'd, nor Friendly Cups to be
Fill'd up with Blood, and Tables overthrown
In Fury of the Fight. Canst Thou alone
Him, whom nor Armies, Walls, nor Cities dare
Withstand, when He comes near, and ev'ry where
Ejecteth Rays, like Lightning? Him, who throws
Something like Thunder from His Head, oppose?
If, when thy Sword is spy'd, that Dreadfull Voice
He should cast forth, by which He oft destroys
Whole Squadrons in the Field? You but deceive
Your self; if Him, thus Feasting, you believe
Disarm'd. Gain'd by so many Slaughters, by
So many Wars, Eternal Majesty
The Gen'ral Arms. If you approach Him, then,
That Cannæ, Trebia, and dire Thrasimen,
And Paulus mighty Shade before Thee stands,
Thou wilt admire; Will His Companions Hands.
Or those about His Person, in so great
A Danger Idle be? I Thee intreat
Forbear, nor wish Superiority
'Bove Him, o're whom Thou canst not Victour be.
Do not those Fatal Chains, that late did binde
Decius, instruct Thee to compose Thy Minde?
The Weight of a Design, so great, did bear,
Trembling, before Him sell, upon the Place.
And, as He did, with Kisses, oft imbrace
His Feet; Dear Son, by what remains to Me
Of Life, and by a Father's Rights (said He)
And by thy Safety (dearer far, then mine
To Me) desist (I pray) from this Design;
Let me not see Our Hospitality
With Murther stain'd, nor Friendly Cups to be
Fill'd up with Blood, and Tables overthrown
In Fury of the Fight. Canst Thou alone
Him, whom nor Armies, Walls, nor Cities dare
Withstand, when He comes near, and ev'ry where
Ejecteth Rays, like Lightning? Him, who throws
Something like Thunder from His Head, oppose?
If, when thy Sword is spy'd, that Dreadfull Voice
He should cast forth, by which He oft destroys
Whole Squadrons in the Field? You but deceive
Your self; if Him, thus Feasting, you believe
Disarm'd. Gain'd by so many Slaughters, by
So many Wars, Eternal Majesty
The Gen'ral Arms. If you approach Him, then,
That Cannæ, Trebia, and dire Thrasimen,
And Paulus mighty Shade before Thee stands,
Thou wilt admire; Will His Companions Hands.
Or those about His Person, in so great
A Danger Idle be? I Thee intreat
Forbear, nor wish Superiority
'Bove Him, o're whom Thou canst not Victour be.
Do not those Fatal Chains, that late did binde
Decius, instruct Thee to compose Thy Minde?
Thus talking, when He saw the Youth to be
Inflam'd with Love of Greater Fame, and free
From Fear; I nothing more (said He) request:
Come let's return, with Speed, unto the Feast.
Thou canst not pierce the Breasts of all that Ring
Of Tyrian Youth, that now defend the King.
Try in this Throat Thy Hand; for first Thy Blade
(If Thou intend'st the Libyan to invade)
Must through My Bowels pierce. My tardy Age
Contemn not Thou; My Body I'le engage
Against Thee, and that Sword, which cannot be
Extorted now, I, by My Death, from Thee
Will force. With that He wept, and Hannibal,
By Heav'ns great Care, reserved was to fall
By Scipio's Arms. Nor then did Conscious Fate
Allow, a forein Hand should perpetrate
An Act so Great. But, of what Praise was He
Depriv'd, whose Glorious Magnanimity,
Worthy to Act in Deeds most famous, won
So much Renown, for what He would have done?
Then, both together, to the Feast they went
Again, and clear'd their Brows from Discontent,
Till Sleep dissolv'd their Banquet, and their Mirth.
Inflam'd with Love of Greater Fame, and free
310
Come let's return, with Speed, unto the Feast.
Thou canst not pierce the Breasts of all that Ring
Of Tyrian Youth, that now defend the King.
Try in this Throat Thy Hand; for first Thy Blade
(If Thou intend'st the Libyan to invade)
Must through My Bowels pierce. My tardy Age
Contemn not Thou; My Body I'le engage
Against Thee, and that Sword, which cannot be
Extorted now, I, by My Death, from Thee
Will force. With that He wept, and Hannibal,
By Heav'ns great Care, reserved was to fall
By Scipio's Arms. Nor then did Conscious Fate
Allow, a forein Hand should perpetrate
An Act so Great. But, of what Praise was He
Depriv'd, whose Glorious Magnanimity,
Worthy to Act in Deeds most famous, won
So much Renown, for what He would have done?
Then, both together, to the Feast they went
Again, and clear'd their Brows from Discontent,
Till Sleep dissolv'd their Banquet, and their Mirth.
But, as the next bright Morning to the Earth
The fiery Steeds of Phaëthon did raise,
His Chariot on the Surface of the Seas
Reflecting; fam'd Amilcar's Active Son
Already on His great Affairs begun
To think. Fierce Mago's Order'd to repair
To Carthage, to the Senate to Declare
What Hannibal had done. With Him the Prey,
And Captivated Men, are sent away,
And Spoils, that to the Gods Devoted are,
As Sacrifices of a prosp'rous War.
The next Part of His Care was to convey
Brave Decius (Alass!) to Libya,
Reserv'd, at his Return, a Sacrifice
To his slow Rage, had not the Deities,
Pittying his undeserved Punishment,
The Youth, by Storms, to Battus City sent.
Here Ptolemy's Pelléan Pow'r the Man
Rescu'd from their dire Menaces, that than.
His Keepers were, and freed his Neck from Chains:
But the same Land, that sav'd his short Remains
Of Life, from Slavery, soon after gave
His Bones, inviolate, a quiet Grave.
The fiery Steeds of Phaëthon did raise,
His Chariot on the Surface of the Seas
Reflecting; fam'd Amilcar's Active Son
Already on His great Affairs begun
To think. Fierce Mago's Order'd to repair
To Carthage, to the Senate to Declare
What Hannibal had done. With Him the Prey,
And Captivated Men, are sent away,
And Spoils, that to the Gods Devoted are,
As Sacrifices of a prosp'rous War.
The next Part of His Care was to convey
Brave Decius (Alass!) to Libya,
311
To his slow Rage, had not the Deities,
Pittying his undeserved Punishment,
The Youth, by Storms, to Battus City sent.
Here Ptolemy's Pelléan Pow'r the Man
Rescu'd from their dire Menaces, that than.
His Keepers were, and freed his Neck from Chains:
But the same Land, that sav'd his short Remains
Of Life, from Slavery, soon after gave
His Bones, inviolate, a quiet Grave.
In the mean Time, the Paphian Goddess findes
The wish'd-for Hour, t'involve the Libyans Mindes
In secret Ruin, through Prosperity,
And their insulting Hearts, by Luxury,
To tame; and, therefore, She her Sons commands,
Enticing Darts to scatter from their Hands
Abroad, and silent Flames to send into
Their Breasts. Then, smiling on the wanton Crew,
Now let proud Juno Us despise (said She)
(And 'tis no Wonder, for now What are We?)
Let Her go on, driv'n with propitious Gales.
She with her Hands, She with her Arms prevails:
We small Shafts onely, from a Childish Bow,
Expell, and from Our Wounds no Blood doth flow.
But, now, be doing; now's your Time: take Aim
(My Sons) and, with your silent Darts, enflame
The Tyrian Youths; that Army, which nor Fire,
Nor Sword, nor Mars, with slackest Reins, can tire,
With store of Wine, Embraces, and by Sleep,
Must be subdu'd. Into His Bowels deep
Let Hannibal imbibed Pleasures drink.
To ly on painted Beds, let Him not think
It Shame, and with Assyrian Sweets his Hair
Perfume; let Him, that, in Hybernal Air,
Boasted, to lengthen out His Sleeps, delight
In Houses, rather, to consume the Night:
And let Him Learn to give the Idle Day
To Bacchus; and, when cloy'd with Feasts, He may
Be charm'd with Musick, and Luxurious Nights
Or sleeping spend, or waking in Our Rites?
This Venus; which the wanton Troops commend,
And strait, from Heav'n, with Snowy Wings descend:
The Libyan Youths, soon, feel their fiery Darts,
And the discharged Shafts inflame their Hearts.
Now Bacchus Gifts, and Banquets they desire,
And warbling Songs to the Piërian Lyre.
Now through the Plains no sweating Courser flies;
No Lance, thrown through the Air, doth exercise
Their naked Arms: in gentle Baths to rest,
Their lazy Limbs they cherish, and, opprest
With miserable Wealth, rough Valour's gone:
The General Himself, but breath'd upon
By flattering Desire, begins to Feast
Anew; and, oft invited, 's made a Guest.
And, by Degrees degenerate (His Minde,
Corrupted by those secret Shafts) declin'd
His Countrie's Arts. With equal Honour, all
Now Capua another Countrey call,
Another Carthage. Their Affections, free
Before, to greedy Vice, through Victory,
Now yield. Nor do the Capuans Measure keep
In Luxury; but, drown'd in Riot, heap
Lust upon Lust, and in their Feasts, between
Each Course, add Sports, and often change the Scene.
So 'bout the Lotos, on Lægæan Banks,
The Phrygian Minstrels, with lascivious Pranks,
Spartan Canopus fill. And, first, their Ears
With his sweet Eyrs (while Hannibal appears
Extremely pleas'd) fam'd Teuthras, for his Skill
Most eminent, Delights with Voice, and Quill;
And, when he saw the Libyan Prince admire
The warbling Nerves, then the Aönian Lyre,
With Praise, he celebrates; and, as he sung,
His well-tun'd-Harp conspiring with his Tongue,
The Musick that of dying Swans exceeds,
And those sweet Lays 'mong many (for the Deeds
Of antient Heroes best the Ear affect)
Most pleasant for the Banquet doth select.
The wish'd-for Hour, t'involve the Libyans Mindes
In secret Ruin, through Prosperity,
And their insulting Hearts, by Luxury,
To tame; and, therefore, She her Sons commands,
Enticing Darts to scatter from their Hands
Abroad, and silent Flames to send into
Their Breasts. Then, smiling on the wanton Crew,
Now let proud Juno Us despise (said She)
(And 'tis no Wonder, for now What are We?)
Let Her go on, driv'n with propitious Gales.
She with her Hands, She with her Arms prevails:
We small Shafts onely, from a Childish Bow,
Expell, and from Our Wounds no Blood doth flow.
But, now, be doing; now's your Time: take Aim
(My Sons) and, with your silent Darts, enflame
The Tyrian Youths; that Army, which nor Fire,
Nor Sword, nor Mars, with slackest Reins, can tire,
With store of Wine, Embraces, and by Sleep,
Must be subdu'd. Into His Bowels deep
Let Hannibal imbibed Pleasures drink.
To ly on painted Beds, let Him not think
It Shame, and with Assyrian Sweets his Hair
Perfume; let Him, that, in Hybernal Air,
312
In Houses, rather, to consume the Night:
And let Him Learn to give the Idle Day
To Bacchus; and, when cloy'd with Feasts, He may
Be charm'd with Musick, and Luxurious Nights
Or sleeping spend, or waking in Our Rites?
This Venus; which the wanton Troops commend,
And strait, from Heav'n, with Snowy Wings descend:
The Libyan Youths, soon, feel their fiery Darts,
And the discharged Shafts inflame their Hearts.
Now Bacchus Gifts, and Banquets they desire,
And warbling Songs to the Piërian Lyre.
Now through the Plains no sweating Courser flies;
No Lance, thrown through the Air, doth exercise
Their naked Arms: in gentle Baths to rest,
Their lazy Limbs they cherish, and, opprest
With miserable Wealth, rough Valour's gone:
The General Himself, but breath'd upon
By flattering Desire, begins to Feast
Anew; and, oft invited, 's made a Guest.
And, by Degrees degenerate (His Minde,
Corrupted by those secret Shafts) declin'd
His Countrie's Arts. With equal Honour, all
Now Capua another Countrey call,
Another Carthage. Their Affections, free
Before, to greedy Vice, through Victory,
Now yield. Nor do the Capuans Measure keep
In Luxury; but, drown'd in Riot, heap
Lust upon Lust, and in their Feasts, between
Each Course, add Sports, and often change the Scene.
So 'bout the Lotos, on Lægæan Banks,
The Phrygian Minstrels, with lascivious Pranks,
Spartan Canopus fill. And, first, their Ears
With his sweet Eyrs (while Hannibal appears
313
Most eminent, Delights with Voice, and Quill;
And, when he saw the Libyan Prince admire
The warbling Nerves, then the Aönian Lyre,
With Praise, he celebrates; and, as he sung,
His well-tun'd-Harp conspiring with his Tongue,
The Musick that of dying Swans exceeds,
And those sweet Lays 'mong many (for the Deeds
Of antient Heroes best the Ear affect)
Most pleasant for the Banquet doth select.
Once by the Argive People (strange to tell!)
A Lute was heard, that did the Rocks compell
To follow, and the flying Stones to stand,
Fix'd into Walls. Touch'd by Amphion's Hand,
This rais'd the Theban Walls; while to the Skies
Flints, of themselves, in Heaps, congested, rise
T'enchanted Tow'rs. Another by his Lays
The Phocæ tam'd, becalm'd the raging Seas,
And Protheus drew through all his Shapes, and bore
Arion, on a Dolphin's Back, to Shore.
But that, whose Sound, in the Pelîack Cave,
A Bridle to the Minds of Heroes gave,
And great Achilles Thoughts, the Centaure lov'd,
And when, upon the Strings, his Finger mov'd,
Hell's, or the Ocean's Fury 'twould allay.
He Chaos, and the World, once wanting Day,
Or Light, a starless Lump; and then how God
Diffus'd the Waters of the Deep abroad,
And bound the Globe of Earth amidst the Frame;
How high Olympus to the Gods became,
By his appointment, a Secure Abode,
And chaster Age of Father Saturne shew'd.
But those sweet Nerves, by Orpheus touch'd, to whom
The Gods, and Shades below, did listning come,
Their Quill emerited, now shine among
The brightest Stars. His Mother his sweet Song
Admir'd, and her Aönian Sisters too;
His Musick the Pangæan Hills pursue.
Hemus, and farthest Thrace, Beasts, with their Woods,
Him follow, and the Mountains with their Floods;
Unmindefull of their Nests, Flight lai'd aside,
Birds, Captiv'd, in th'unshaken Air abide.
And, when the Pegasæan Ship (before
The Sons of Earth were skill'd beyond the Shore)
Refus'd the Sea to enter, by His Song,
Entic'd up to the Poop, the Waters throng.
He those pale Kingdoms, whither Ghosts retire,
And Acheron, that with Eternal Fire,
And Flames, still Ecchoes, by His Lays alone
Subdu'd, and fix'd the ever-rolling Stone.
Thus Teuthras, with His Thespian Lays their Hearts,
Hard'ned in War, to softer Ease diverts.
A Lute was heard, that did the Rocks compell
To follow, and the flying Stones to stand,
Fix'd into Walls. Touch'd by Amphion's Hand,
This rais'd the Theban Walls; while to the Skies
Flints, of themselves, in Heaps, congested, rise
T'enchanted Tow'rs. Another by his Lays
The Phocæ tam'd, becalm'd the raging Seas,
And Protheus drew through all his Shapes, and bore
Arion, on a Dolphin's Back, to Shore.
But that, whose Sound, in the Pelîack Cave,
A Bridle to the Minds of Heroes gave,
And great Achilles Thoughts, the Centaure lov'd,
And when, upon the Strings, his Finger mov'd,
Hell's, or the Ocean's Fury 'twould allay.
He Chaos, and the World, once wanting Day,
Or Light, a starless Lump; and then how God
Diffus'd the Waters of the Deep abroad,
And bound the Globe of Earth amidst the Frame;
How high Olympus to the Gods became,
By his appointment, a Secure Abode,
And chaster Age of Father Saturne shew'd.
But those sweet Nerves, by Orpheus touch'd, to whom
The Gods, and Shades below, did listning come,
314
The brightest Stars. His Mother his sweet Song
Admir'd, and her Aönian Sisters too;
His Musick the Pangæan Hills pursue.
Hemus, and farthest Thrace, Beasts, with their Woods,
Him follow, and the Mountains with their Floods;
Unmindefull of their Nests, Flight lai'd aside,
Birds, Captiv'd, in th'unshaken Air abide.
And, when the Pegasæan Ship (before
The Sons of Earth were skill'd beyond the Shore)
Refus'd the Sea to enter, by His Song,
Entic'd up to the Poop, the Waters throng.
He those pale Kingdoms, whither Ghosts retire,
And Acheron, that with Eternal Fire,
And Flames, still Ecchoes, by His Lays alone
Subdu'd, and fix'd the ever-rolling Stone.
Thus Teuthras, with His Thespian Lays their Hearts,
Hard'ned in War, to softer Ease diverts.
But, in the mean time, with propitious Gales,
Mago unto the Coast of Libya sails;
And the desired Port, with Lawrel bound,
The Vessel enters, as in Triumph, Crown'd
With captive Arms: the lofty Prow displaies
A Lustre over all the Neighb'ring Seas:
The Seamen in the Road the Ecchoing Shores
With Clamours fill, and, as they tugg their Oars
Against their Breast, rais'd by their num'rous Blows,
The Foam o're all the broken Ocean flows:
To catch their Joys, the eager People press
Into the Waves, and, proud of the Success,
With great Applause, and Emulation, all
Their Welcome celebrate. The General
Is with the Gods compar'd: Him, ev'ry where,
Matrons, and Nephews, (that instructed are
To Honour Him) commend: by Young, and Old,
The Senate, and the People, He's extoll'd;
And likewise, by slain Heifers, thought to be
Worthy the Honour of a Deity.
Mago unto the Coast of Libya sails;
And the desired Port, with Lawrel bound,
The Vessel enters, as in Triumph, Crown'd
With captive Arms: the lofty Prow displaies
A Lustre over all the Neighb'ring Seas:
The Seamen in the Road the Ecchoing Shores
With Clamours fill, and, as they tugg their Oars
Against their Breast, rais'd by their num'rous Blows,
The Foam o're all the broken Ocean flows:
To catch their Joys, the eager People press
Into the Waves, and, proud of the Success,
With great Applause, and Emulation, all
Their Welcome celebrate. The General
Is with the Gods compar'd: Him, ev'ry where,
Matrons, and Nephews, (that instructed are
315
The Senate, and the People, He's extoll'd;
And likewise, by slain Heifers, thought to be
Worthy the Honour of a Deity.
Into His Countrey thus proud Mago came,
And Gates, triumphing in His Brother's Fame,
Enter'd: the Senate to their Place resort,
And, with a full Convention, throng the Court:
There (as an antient Custom did enjoyn)
All Veneration to the Pow'rs Divine,
And the Assembly, pay'd; I bring (said He)
News of that broken Force, which Italy
Against Us us'd, and of that War, wherein
Your Mago no mean Part of Toil hath bin;
And, when We fought, the Gods Our Wishes crownd.
There is a Place, from Diomed Renown'd,
Possess'd of old by Daunus, the moist Grounds
Their Aufidus with rapid Streams surrounds,
And, through the Plains o'reflowing, cuts his Way
With Speed into the Adriatick Sea,
Where falling with great Noise, he beats again
The yielding Billows back into the Main:
Here Varro, and (a Name of Honour held
Among the Latines) Paulus, took the Field,
Before the Day had chac'd away the Night,
And kindled with their shining Arms the Light
Of the then rising Morn. Desire, t'engage
Enflam'd My Brother, and with equal Rage
Our Ensigns hasten on: Earth trembles, strook
With Horrour; high Olympus, groaning, shook:
And here the General (then whom the Earth
Unto a Greater never yet gave Birth)
In Slaughter hid the River, and the Field;
And, as He furious charg'd (this I beheld)
Ev'n with the very Noise, that He came on,
Scatter'd, through all the Plains, to Him alone
All Italy gave Way: ev'n I beheld,
When Coward Varro basely fled the Field,
And threw his Arms away: brave Paulus too
I saw, when standing o're his Friend, and through
His Body pierc'd, with Darts, at length He fell.
Ægates, and those Servile Leagues, that tell
Our former Infamy, that Glorious Day
With Streams of Romane Blood hath wash'd away.
If such another Day We live to see;
Then Carthage, surely, Thou the Head shalt be
Of ev'ry Nation, and shalt be ador'd
By all the World! These Trophies shall Record
The Slaughter; which, a Badg of Honour, there,
On their Left Hands the Noblest Persons wear.
With that pours forth (they wondring to behold)
A mighty Heap of shining Rings of Gold,
And ratifies His Words: and then again
Assumes His Speech; What then doth now remain,
But, that (said He) from its Foundation turn'd,
Rome, with the Ground, should levell'd be, and burn'd?
Let Us endeavour this, and now repair
Our Troops, that by so many Dangers are
Exhausted. Let the Treasures open'd be,
With greatest Freedom, to such Hands, as We
Have gain'd in War. Our Elephants (a Sight
Of Terrour to the Romanes) now are quite
Decay'd, and all Provisions grow low.
As this He mention'd, with an angry Brow,
He turn'd to Hanno, (whom the rising Fame
O'th' General did long ago enflame
With bitter Thoughts) Now we have giv'n (said He)
Proof of our Valour, and Designs to Thee.
Is it now fit, that I a Latine Swain
Should serve? Or must We Hannibal again
Deliver up? Unhappy Wretch! forbear
Thy Pois'nous Envy, and Thy Thoughts, that are
Swell'd high with Stygian Gall. Behold! that Hand
(At Length Crown'd with so many Trophies, and
So many Titles) ev'n that Hand, which Thou
Wouldst have giv'n up to Romane Tortures, now,
Their Shores, Lakes, Rivers, & their Fields with Blood
Hath fill'd. Thus Mago, while the Senate stood
Inclin'd to favour Him in what He spoke.
But Hanno, whom both Envy did provoke,
And Anger, thus replies: I not, at all,
Admire the railing Language, now let fall
By that rash, foolish Boy. His Innate Pride,
And Brother's Spirit may be soon descri'd
In Him, and the vain Venom of His Tongue:
But, lest You should think Me so chang'd, among
His Vanities, as to desist, I say;
That now's the very Time, that We should pray
Their Peace, and this destructive War forbear:
And I beseech You to consider here
What 't is He brings; (there's nothing else beside
Left to Your Censure) 'tis, that We provide
Arms, Ships, Men, Mony, Elephants, with Store
Of Corn. If Conquer'd, We could give no more,
We have with Trojan Blood, already, cloy'd
Rutulian Plains, and Italie's destroy'd:
Now then (good Conquerour!) let's lay aside
Our Cares, and in Our Countrey safe abide;
Let not Our Families, that oft have been
Made empty, be exhausted now agen
By the Expenses of a wastfull War.
And, now, I'me sure, the fatal Day's not far
Remov'd (I wish, that my Presage may be
False, and my Minde with a vain Augury
Deluded) but Their furious Hearts I know,
And see the future Anger that will grow
From what they suffer. And, for my Part, I
Ev'n Cannæ dread. For lay Your Ensigns by,
Try what is to be done: demand a Peace;
'Twill not be giv'n. Our Ruins will encrease
From what they feel: and they would sooner yield
To League with Us; if they had won the Field,
Then now, when overcome: But Thou, who dost,
With such proud Language, so Great Actions boast,
And, with such swelling Noise, invad'st the Ears
O'th' Ignorant, Thy Brother, (who appears
Equal to Mars in Arms, then whom the Earth
Unto a Greater never yet gave Birth,
For War) Why hath not He (I pray thee say)
Unto the Walls of Rome yet March'd away?
We Children, not yet fit the Weight to bear
Of Arms, may, from their Mothers, force to War,
And Rigg a thousand Ships at His Command,
And seek for Elephants through all Our Land;
That Hannibal, thus arm'd, His Empire may
Prolong, and Reign unto His dying Day.
But You, my dearest Countrey-men (for Us
No hidden Dangers compass) do not thus
Spoil Your dear Families; but moderate
The Arms, and Wealth of such, as in the State
Have Pow'r; let Peace, that is the Best of things
To Mortals known; Peace, that more Honour brings,
Then Myriads of Triumphs; Peace, that can
Our common Safety keep, and make This Man
Equal to That: into Our Countrey be
At Length recall'd, and let the Infamy,
And Name of Treachery be banish'd from
Thy Walls (Phœnissa) but, if You're become
So greedy of a War, and still persist,
Not to give up your Arms, at the Request
Ev'n of your Countrey, truly I advise,
That hence your Fury may have no Supplies:
And this let Mago to His Brother say;
And Gates, triumphing in His Brother's Fame,
Enter'd: the Senate to their Place resort,
And, with a full Convention, throng the Court:
There (as an antient Custom did enjoyn)
All Veneration to the Pow'rs Divine,
And the Assembly, pay'd; I bring (said He)
News of that broken Force, which Italy
Against Us us'd, and of that War, wherein
Your Mago no mean Part of Toil hath bin;
And, when We fought, the Gods Our Wishes crownd.
There is a Place, from Diomed Renown'd,
Possess'd of old by Daunus, the moist Grounds
Their Aufidus with rapid Streams surrounds,
And, through the Plains o'reflowing, cuts his Way
With Speed into the Adriatick Sea,
Where falling with great Noise, he beats again
The yielding Billows back into the Main:
Here Varro, and (a Name of Honour held
Among the Latines) Paulus, took the Field,
Before the Day had chac'd away the Night,
And kindled with their shining Arms the Light
Of the then rising Morn. Desire, t'engage
Enflam'd My Brother, and with equal Rage
Our Ensigns hasten on: Earth trembles, strook
With Horrour; high Olympus, groaning, shook:
And here the General (then whom the Earth
Unto a Greater never yet gave Birth)
In Slaughter hid the River, and the Field;
And, as He furious charg'd (this I beheld)
316
Scatter'd, through all the Plains, to Him alone
All Italy gave Way: ev'n I beheld,
When Coward Varro basely fled the Field,
And threw his Arms away: brave Paulus too
I saw, when standing o're his Friend, and through
His Body pierc'd, with Darts, at length He fell.
Ægates, and those Servile Leagues, that tell
Our former Infamy, that Glorious Day
With Streams of Romane Blood hath wash'd away.
If such another Day We live to see;
Then Carthage, surely, Thou the Head shalt be
Of ev'ry Nation, and shalt be ador'd
By all the World! These Trophies shall Record
The Slaughter; which, a Badg of Honour, there,
On their Left Hands the Noblest Persons wear.
With that pours forth (they wondring to behold)
A mighty Heap of shining Rings of Gold,
And ratifies His Words: and then again
Assumes His Speech; What then doth now remain,
But, that (said He) from its Foundation turn'd,
Rome, with the Ground, should levell'd be, and burn'd?
Let Us endeavour this, and now repair
Our Troops, that by so many Dangers are
Exhausted. Let the Treasures open'd be,
With greatest Freedom, to such Hands, as We
Have gain'd in War. Our Elephants (a Sight
Of Terrour to the Romanes) now are quite
Decay'd, and all Provisions grow low.
As this He mention'd, with an angry Brow,
He turn'd to Hanno, (whom the rising Fame
O'th' General did long ago enflame
With bitter Thoughts) Now we have giv'n (said He)
Proof of our Valour, and Designs to Thee.
317
Should serve? Or must We Hannibal again
Deliver up? Unhappy Wretch! forbear
Thy Pois'nous Envy, and Thy Thoughts, that are
Swell'd high with Stygian Gall. Behold! that Hand
(At Length Crown'd with so many Trophies, and
So many Titles) ev'n that Hand, which Thou
Wouldst have giv'n up to Romane Tortures, now,
Their Shores, Lakes, Rivers, & their Fields with Blood
Hath fill'd. Thus Mago, while the Senate stood
Inclin'd to favour Him in what He spoke.
But Hanno, whom both Envy did provoke,
And Anger, thus replies: I not, at all,
Admire the railing Language, now let fall
By that rash, foolish Boy. His Innate Pride,
And Brother's Spirit may be soon descri'd
In Him, and the vain Venom of His Tongue:
But, lest You should think Me so chang'd, among
His Vanities, as to desist, I say;
That now's the very Time, that We should pray
Their Peace, and this destructive War forbear:
And I beseech You to consider here
What 't is He brings; (there's nothing else beside
Left to Your Censure) 'tis, that We provide
Arms, Ships, Men, Mony, Elephants, with Store
Of Corn. If Conquer'd, We could give no more,
We have with Trojan Blood, already, cloy'd
Rutulian Plains, and Italie's destroy'd:
Now then (good Conquerour!) let's lay aside
Our Cares, and in Our Countrey safe abide;
Let not Our Families, that oft have been
Made empty, be exhausted now agen
By the Expenses of a wastfull War.
And, now, I'me sure, the fatal Day's not far
318
False, and my Minde with a vain Augury
Deluded) but Their furious Hearts I know,
And see the future Anger that will grow
From what they suffer. And, for my Part, I
Ev'n Cannæ dread. For lay Your Ensigns by,
Try what is to be done: demand a Peace;
'Twill not be giv'n. Our Ruins will encrease
From what they feel: and they would sooner yield
To League with Us; if they had won the Field,
Then now, when overcome: But Thou, who dost,
With such proud Language, so Great Actions boast,
And, with such swelling Noise, invad'st the Ears
O'th' Ignorant, Thy Brother, (who appears
Equal to Mars in Arms, then whom the Earth
Unto a Greater never yet gave Birth,
For War) Why hath not He (I pray thee say)
Unto the Walls of Rome yet March'd away?
We Children, not yet fit the Weight to bear
Of Arms, may, from their Mothers, force to War,
And Rigg a thousand Ships at His Command,
And seek for Elephants through all Our Land;
That Hannibal, thus arm'd, His Empire may
Prolong, and Reign unto His dying Day.
But You, my dearest Countrey-men (for Us
No hidden Dangers compass) do not thus
Spoil Your dear Families; but moderate
The Arms, and Wealth of such, as in the State
Have Pow'r; let Peace, that is the Best of things
To Mortals known; Peace, that more Honour brings,
Then Myriads of Triumphs; Peace, that can
Our common Safety keep, and make This Man
Equal to That: into Our Countrey be
At Length recall'd, and let the Infamy,
319
Thy Walls (Phœnissa) but, if You're become
So greedy of a War, and still persist,
Not to give up your Arms, at the Request
Ev'n of your Countrey, truly I advise,
That hence your Fury may have no Supplies:
And this let Mago to His Brother say;
More He'd have said (for Speaking could not lay
His Anger) but the Clamours of the Rest,
Divided in their Votes, his Speech supprest.
At length, 'twas answer'd: If that the Renown
Of Libya (Hannibal) excell'd by none
In Arms, be Cause of Anger unto Thee,
Ev'n at the very Bounds, must therefore We
Be wanting to the Victour? Or our Aid
Refuse, that one Man's Envy may be made
A Bar unto that Empire, which We now
Have gain'd? With that they readily allow
Whate're for War is needful; proud, that so
Their Favour, in His Absence, He might know.
Then to Iberia they decree the same
Should be convey'd; while Envy did defame
The General's Immortal Deeds, and made
His Honour to be lessned by this Aid.
His Anger) but the Clamours of the Rest,
Divided in their Votes, his Speech supprest.
At length, 'twas answer'd: If that the Renown
Of Libya (Hannibal) excell'd by none
In Arms, be Cause of Anger unto Thee,
Ev'n at the very Bounds, must therefore We
Be wanting to the Victour? Or our Aid
Refuse, that one Man's Envy may be made
A Bar unto that Empire, which We now
Have gain'd? With that they readily allow
Whate're for War is needful; proud, that so
Their Favour, in His Absence, He might know.
Then to Iberia they decree the same
Should be convey'd; while Envy did defame
The General's Immortal Deeds, and made
His Honour to be lessned by this Aid.
The End of the Eleventh Book.
| The Second Punick War Between Hannibal, and the Romanes | |