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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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Then Men were hard, as hard as parent Stones,
And built on bigger and on firmer Bones:
The Nerves that join'd their Limbs were tough and strong,
Their Life was healthy, and their Age was long.
No Colds, nor Heats, nor dire Diseases bred
By dainty Dishes, multiply'd the Dead:
But rolling Years long found them in their Prime,
And, like the Brutes, in Search of Food they spent their Time.
No brawny Plowman then had learn'd to tare
The Earth's firm Surface with the crooked Share:
None prun'd old Branches from the Trees that grew,
Or dug the fruitful Ground for planting new:
But all were well contented with the Store
Sun, Rain, and Earth bestow'd, and wish'd no more.
In Woods they liv'd, on Acorns chiefly fed,
And such wild Berries as in Winter, red,
Become mature: the youthful World then gave
Of these abundance more than now we have;
And various Fruits beside did then produce,
Amply sufficient for poor Mortals' Use.—
And built on bigger and on firmer Bones:
The Nerves that join'd their Limbs were tough and strong,
Their Life was healthy, and their Age was long.
No Colds, nor Heats, nor dire Diseases bred
By dainty Dishes, multiply'd the Dead:
But rolling Years long found them in their Prime,
And, like the Brutes, in Search of Food they spent their Time.
No brawny Plowman then had learn'd to tare
The Earth's firm Surface with the crooked Share:
None prun'd old Branches from the Trees that grew,
Or dug the fruitful Ground for planting new:
But all were well contented with the Store
Sun, Rain, and Earth bestow'd, and wish'd no more.
In Woods they liv'd, on Acorns chiefly fed,
And such wild Berries as in Winter, red,
Become mature: the youthful World then gave
Of these abundance more than now we have;
And various Fruits beside did then produce,
Amply sufficient for poor Mortals' Use.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |