University of Virginia Library

The Argument.

Repuls'd by Storms, and Lightning, from the Gates
Of Rome, resolv'd to try again the Fates,
The Libyan returns. Agrippa shows
What Miseries, and Plagues attended those,
That fought against the Places, that contain'd
The fam'd Palladium. By this restrain'd,
Away He marcheth to the Rhegian Coast:
In the mean time besieged Capua's lost.
What Wealth, and Trophies, there the Romanes gain,
In Spain two Noble Scipioes are slain.
Grief, for his Friends, oppressing Him, and Cares,
Young Scipio to Autonöe repairs.
Apollo's Priestess, who, by Magick Spels,
Cumæan Sybil's Ghosts doth raise, which tells
To Him ensuing Fates, describeth Hell,
And where the Blessed Souls, in Pleasure dwell.

The Capitol's high Top He scarce discern'd
In His slow March, when strait the Libyan turn'd
Towards the City His fierce Eys again,
Preparing to return, and in that Plain
Encamp'd, where Bankless Thuria overflows
The level Meadows; and, Inglorious, goes
Into the Thuscan Sea, a silent Stream.
Here sometimes on his chiefest Friends the Blame,
Sometimes upon the God's commands, he laies,
Then on Himself. Tell me at length (He saies)
Thou, by whose slaughtring Hand the Lidyan Lake
Increas'd, who mad'st the Daunian Land to shake
With Thunder of thine Arms, discourag'd now,
Into what Countrey back again, dost Thou
Thine Ensigns bear? What Sword Thy Breast, what Spear
Hath pierc'd? Should Towred Carthage now appear
Before thine Eys, what Reason couldst Thou yield
Souldier, unwounded thus to quit the Field?
Wouldst Thou alledge from Storms (dear Countrey) I
From Tempests mix'd with Blood, and Thunder, fly?
Let this Effeminate Stain be far, Oh far,
From Tyrian People, as unfit for War,
But in fair Weather, and in Air that's clear.

The Army, though as yet a Panick Fear
O'th' Gods possess'd them, and a recent Smel
Of Lightning on their Arms, as yet, did dwell;
And 'fore their Eys the Fight of angry Jove:
Yet still a Vigour to obey, and move,
Whereever He should them command, appears,
And, by degrees diffus'd into their Ears,
(By what He said) Desire in ev'ry Breast
To bear their Ensigns back again, encreast:
As when a Stone the Water breaks, it makes,
At first, small Rings; but as its Motion shakes
The trembling Liquour, while it still descends,
The numerous Orbs increase, till it extends
The curling Circle, ev'ry Way, so wide,
That it may touch the Banks on either side.

But, contrary to this, Agrippa (who
His fam'd Descent from Diomedes drew)
Among th'Oëtolian People, much Renown'd,
And of a Noble Name, with Riches Crown'd,
But Faithless, and, when Rome's Affairs declin'd,
With the successfull Libyan had joyn'd;
Revolving these Traditions, that of old
To him his Ancestours before had told,
Thus pleads; When Teucrine Pergamus with long
Protracted War was shaken, and among
The Grecian Souldiers, unengag'd in Blood,
The God of War before the Rampires stood,
Calchas (for this, full oft at the Request
Of Daunus, kept within his faithfull Breast,
Amidst their Feasts did Diomed express)
Calcas assur'd the doubtfull Greeks, unless
The fatal Image of the Warlike Maid,
Kept in the Arcenal, they thence essai'd
To gain, the Spartan Arms should ne're prevail
O're Troy, nor should they, with their Honour, sail
Back to Amycle. For it was by Fate
Ordain'd, that none those Walls should penetrate,
That did possess that Image, and then Our
Tydides, joyn'd with Ithacus, the Tow'r
Entred by Stratagem, and having slain
The Guard, just at the Entrance of the Fane,
Thence the Celestial Image strait convai'd,
And Troy unto our Fates was open lai'd.
But, when, on the Oënotrian Coast, he built
A City, troubled at his former Guilt,
T'appease the Phrygian Goddess with His Pray'rs,
And Ilian Gods, Devoutly He prepares.
Then, on a lofty Tow'r, a Temple strait
(To Trojan Pallas, a most hatefull Seat)
Was rais'd. When, 'midst his Sleep, the threatning Maid,
Discov'ring her great Deity, thus said;
This Fabrick, Diomed, which here you raise,
Unworthy's of the Honour of such Praise.
To Us Garganus, nor the Daunian Land
Are due: Him rather seek, whose Pious Hand
Now the first Walls of better Troy doth rear
In the Laurentine Fields. Go thither, there
That captiv'd Relique of their Fathers lay.
Troubled at this advice, He hasts away
To Saturn's Kingdom, where Anchises Son,
A Conqu'rer, then, Lavinian Troy begun,
And's Dardan Arms, in a Laurentine Grove,
Had fix'd. But, as the Daunian Fleet did move
Near Tiber's mouth, and Diomedes there
On Shore had pitch'd his shining Tents, with Fear
The Trojans trembled, till, in his Right-hand
A Pledg of Peace extending to the Land,
(An hoary Olive-bough) Tydæus Son,
Amidst the Trojans Murmurs, thus begun;

Thy mindeful Rage (Æneas) and thy Fear
Now confidently lay aside; whate're
At Troy, at Simöis, or Xanthus Flood,
Or near the Scæan Port, with so much Blood,
And Sweat, by Us was done, was not (Alass!)
Our Crime: the Gods, and Fate it brought to pass.
Now think on what remains; why do not We,
With better Auspicies of Time, agree
To live? Let's joyn our peaceful Hands: This shall
Be Witness of our League: and shew'd withall
Trojan Minerva from the Poop. By Her
Fell the Bold Gauls, that Rome invaded, nor
Of that Great People did there One remain,
That to his Native Land return'd again.
Dismai'd at this, the General his Bands
(Much joy'd, that they should March away) Commands
To pull their Ensigns up, and to remove
Into those Fertile Plains, where in a Grove
Wealthy Feronia's Worshipp'd, and o're all
The Grounds Capêna's Sacred Waters fall.
From Birth of Antient Faunus (as 'tis said)
Through a long Tract of time, together lay'd,
Great Wealth, by frequent Gifts encreas'd, and there,
Alone, preserv'd by a religious Fear,
The Gold untouch'd for many Ages lay:
Their barb'rous Hearts, and greedy Minds, the Prey
Pollutes, and arms them to contemn the Gods.
From thence it pleas'd him through remoter Rodes
To turn, where Fields, Plough'd by the Brutian Swain,
Extended are to the Trinacrian Main.

While, Discontented, thus the Libyans go
To th'Rhegian Coast, Brave Fulvius (the Fo
Remov'd from's Country) at the Walls appears
Of Capua, and to the Besieged bears
Th'unwelcom News. Their Miseries were than
Extreamly high, when Fulvius thus began
To all of Name in Arms: Take this Disgrace
Away by Valour. Shall this Treach'rous Place,
(To Us another Carthage) after all
Her violated Leagues, and Hannibal
Sent to our very Gates, Her proud Demand
Of an alternate, equal Consul, stand?
And from her lofty Turrets, now dismai'd,
Still look for Libyan Cohorts to her Aid?

Deeds to his Words he adds, and, streight, he calls
For Tow'rs of Oak, by which the highest Walls
He could surmount, and, instantly, commands
To joyn huge Beams with Cords, and Iron Bands,
By which the tallest Posts of Gates He brake,
And all Delays of Bars would quickly shake.
Here, fenc'd with Starlike Piles on ev'ry Side,
A Mount is rais'd, and there they are imploy'd
To raise the Vinea, arm'd above, and all
Soon done, which he could Necessary call,
He gives the Sign to scale the Walls, and fills
The Town with Terrour of impending Ills;
When suddenly an happy Omen shin'd
On His Attempts: an Hinde (which rare We finde
Of such a Colour) that the Swans, or Snow,
Surpass'd in Whiteness; which, when with his Plow
Capys the Circuit of those Walls design'd,
A Countrey-Present, taken with its Kinde
Familiarity (when Young) he fed,
And a kinde Sense of Man had in it bred.
All Wildness lost, She us'd to take her Stand
To feed at Table; by her Master's Hand
When stroak'd, much pleas'd, oft the Campanian Dames
Smooth'd her with Combs, and in the Neighb'ring streams
Renew'd her Whiteness: thus the Hind became
The Deity o'th' Place, and had for Name
Diana's Servant; and, as to a God,
With holy Ensigns they the Altars load.
Lusty, and strong in Life (though Aged) She
A thousand Years, with great Felicity,
Had past, and Houses built by Trojans there
Equal'd in Age; but now her Death was near:
For chac'd by cruel Wolves, that suddenly
Into the Town, (a dolefull Prodigie
In War) by Night had enter'd; as the Day
Began to break, out at the Gates, away
She ran, and, frighted, fled into the Plain,
Near to the Walls; where, by the Souldiers ta'ne,
(Who joyfully contended in the Chase)
To Thee, Latonian Goddess, on the Place
The General off'ring her (for unto Thee
He knew that Sacrifice must pleasing be)
Pray'd His Design might, by thine Aid, be crown'd:
And strait, relying on the Goddess, round
The City mov'd his Troops, and where into
An Orb the Walls were bent, obliquely, drew
A strongly-guarded Trench, and kept them there
Inclos'd with Arms, like Beasts in Toils. While Fear
Increas'd in others, with a stately Plume
Out at the Ports doth Warlike Taurea come,
Chafing His foaming Steed (to Him, for brave
Exploits, Maurusian Shafts the General gave
But lately, and an Autololian Band)
He spurring on his Steed, which scorn'd to stand,
Hearing the trembling Cornets, when so near
He came, that He perciev'd the Fo might hear
His Neighb'ring Call, said Claudius, (who i'th' Art
Of War excell'd, and Honour, with Desert,
In many a Fight had gain'd) if yet upon
His Valour He rely, may He alone
Enter the Field, and fight with Me. What stay'd
The Romane, when 'twas heard what He had said,
Was, that it was Ordain'd before, on Pain
Of Death, that none should dare to entertain
A single Fight, without the General's Leave.
But soon as Fulvius His Permission gave,
Into the open Plain, with Joy, he flies,
And strait thick Clouds of Dust, like Billows, rise.
But scorning all Assistance of the Thong,
Or Loop, to make His Weapon fly more strong,
Taurea, with his bare Strength, His Spear advanc'd,
And it with Headlong Rage, and Fury, lanc'd
Into the Air: while, of another Minde,
The brave Rutulian, seeking where to finde
A certain Place to give a Wound, now shook,
Then couch'd His Spear, and many a threatning Stroke
Pretends; till fix'd in's Shield his Jav'lin stood:
But was depriv'd of the desired Blood.
Then instantly he drew his Sword, when strait
Taurea, to fly the Menaces of Fate,
With his steel'd Heel drives on his nimble Steed.
While, at his Back, the Romane with a Speed,
Great as his Rage, pursu'd, and very near
Giving the Reins, approach'd him; and, as Fear
The Conquer'd, so the Conquerour Desire
Of his deserved Blood, Honour, and Ire
Into the Gates invite; and, while they there
Scarce Credit what they see, that He should dare,
Alone, to break into their Walls, and haste
So boldly through th'amazed Town, he past
Through th'adverse Port, and to his Friends retir'd.
With that th'Mindes of all the rest were fir'd
With the like Heat, and Industry t'invade
The Walls; and where he had a Passage made,
To enter, Flames, and Swords strait shine; then Showrs
Of Stones, and Darts, assault the highest Tow'rs:
None could the Rest in Courage to engage
Excell, all Hands were equall'd by their Rage.
Dictæan Shafts fly through the Air, and fall
With Wounds i'th' midst o'th' Town. The General
Is pleas'd to finde, that they had left no Room
For his Encouragement; they all assume
So eagerly their Task. Whom when he spy'd
So well resolv'd, and Fortune made a Guide
To all; up to the Gate he, Furious, came,
And sought with Danger to encrease his Fame.

Three Brothers (Twins) who each a chosen Band
Had of an Hundred men, at their Command,
Guarded that Pass, and there their Station held:
Of these in Beauty Numitor excell'd,
Laurens in Running, and Laburnus Tall
Above the other: but their Weapons all
Were diff'rent; One Renowned for his Bow;
For's Spear the other, wont in Fight to throw
His poison'd Lance, and not to trust his Sword:
But Lamps, with Flames, and Sulphur mix'd, the Third
Compos'd. So (famous in a former Age)
That horrid Monster of a Triple Rage,
Gerîon, fought on the Atlantick Shore,
Whose three Right-Hands three sev'ral Weapons bore;
One cruel Flames; Behinde him t'other drew
His Bow; the third his trusty Jav'lin threw:
And dealt three sev'ral Waies, at once, a Wound.
When these, thus varying Fight, the Consul found
With diff'rent Arms, the Slaughter, that appear'd
At th'Entrance of the Gate, and Posts besmear'd
With Blood of such, as thither did advance,
With an inraged Force his twisted Lance
He throws. Importing Death, th'Italian Yew
Cuts through the Air, and, where (as then he drew
His Bow, and from above his Arrows ply'd)
Stout Numitor was Naked, pierc'd his Side.

But, not Content to fight, besieged there,
In War Unskilfull, though still apt to dare,
With headlong Heat, rash Virius open threw
The Gate, and broke into the Field, and to
The Conqu'rours Rage his miserable Men
Expos'd: these Scipio fiercely charg'd. But then,
As he the offer'd Troop, insatiate, kills,
Calenus, born upon Tifata's Hills,
Bred up to bold Attempts, His Courage great,
As was His Body, often wont to beat
Lyons, to fight bare-Headed, to Contend
With Steers, and down the winding Horns to bend
Of fiercest Bulls, by Force, unto the Ground,
And for his vigorous Fate before Renown'd:
He, while bold Virius from the Town expell'd
Some rash Assailants, whether, that He held
His Breast-Plate useless, or to shun Delay,
Into the Field had, Naked, made His Way,
And, nimbler now, the panting Fugitives
O'retakes, and sev'ral Ways, Victorious, drives:
And now, already, Veliternus through
The Belly he had thrust; and Marius, who
With equal-Sport was wont to exercise
Equestral Fights with Scipio, by him dyes,
Struck backward to the Ground by an huge Stone,
Torn from the Earth. Expiring, with a Groan
H'implores his Friend; and, Gaping, underneath
The Rock was crush'd. But, Sorrow for his Death
Doubling his Strength, while all his Face o'reflows
With Tears, his singing Cornel Scipio throws,
Hasting to his Expiring Friend, to show
The wish'd-for Comfort of a dying Fo.
The Shaft, as if a Bird the liquid Air
Divided had, past through his Brest, and there
Dissolv'd his mighty Frame: swift, as its Way
A nimble Galley makes upon the Sea,
Which flies more nimbly, then the Winds, as oft
As, to their Breasts reduc'd, the Oars aloft
The curling Surges strike, and with the Strength
Of one joynt Strook runs farther, then her Length.

But Volesus Ascanius (who had cast,
His Arms away, that he might lighter haste
Unto the Walls, as through the Plain he fled)
Pursues. Strait sever'd by his Sword, his Head
Drops at the Owner's Feet: but, by the Force
Of running forward, in its speedy Course,
The following Trunk, at length, beyond it falls.

No longer, now, to keep their open Walls,
Did the Besieged hope. When strait about
They Face, and shut their own Companions out,
That beg to be receiv'd. Their Hinges then
They turn, and strive, too late, their Bars agen,
And Bolts to fix. At this th'Italians prest
More fiercely on, and the Besieg'd infest.
And, had not Earth been taken from their Sight,
Wrap'd in the Stygian Bosom of the Night,
The Souldiers their Assault so furious made,
The broken Gates had then been open laid.

But yet the Darkness brought not equal Rest
To all. These Fearless Slumbers (such, as blest
With Victory, Men know) enjoy; but there
With dolefull Cries of Women, ev'ry where,
With dire Complaints, and trembling Parents Groans,
Capua affrighted, her sad Fate bemoans,
And prays a Period of her Woes to see.
The Head, and Authour of her Treachery
(The Senate) murmurs. Virius, all Cares
Of Life, now, lai'd aside, aloud declares
No Hopes of Aid from Hannibal. Said He;
I hop'd to rule o're Rome, and did agree,
If Gods the Libyan Arms, and better Fate
Assisted had, to Capua to translate
Trojan Quirinus Empire. It was I,
That sent that Force to shake their Walls, and high
Tarpeian Tow'rs. I had the Courage there
To ask an equal Consul, that might bear
The Fasces, in Our Name. It hitherto
Suffideth, We have liv'd; and, while We now
Have Night enough, whoever in his Minde
Affecteth it, at Acheron may finde
Eternal Liberty: let Him repair
Unto my Table, and My Cates, and there
Drenching himself in Bacchus Fruits (his Minde
Subdu'd) he soon a Remedy may finde
For all his Woes; the Sting of Death may charm,
And, with that pleasant Poison, Fate disarm.

This said; a Multitude attend him Home.
Amidst his Palace, in a spacious Room,
A mighty Pyle of Wood did still remain,
The common Receptacle of the Slain.
But, yet the People Grief, and Fear, distract;
While now, too late, on Decius they reflect
Their Thoughts, and his brave Valour, punish'd by
A cruel Banishment. Then from the Sky
Divinest Faith looks down, and vexeth their
Fallacious Hearts, and strait through ev'ry Ear
A secret Voice is spred: Break no Accord,
Or Oath (Ye Mortals!) with the cruel Sword;
But keep Your Faith Inviolate: for This
Then Thrones, that shine with Purple, better is.
For who with Fallacies delights to break
A League, or shall the slender Hopes forsake
Of his afflicted Friend; his House, his Wife,
Perpetual Trouble shall attend: his Life
Shall ne're want Tears; but both by Night, and Day,
Despis'd, and violated Faith, by Sea,
And Land pursuing, shall him still torment.

Then, in a Cloud disguis'd, Erinnys went
To all Assemblies, touch'd their Tables, and
Sits down, and feeds, and then, with her own Hand,
Bowls, froathing up with Stygian Gore, prefers,
And largely Plagues, and Death, administers.
But Virius (while yet Ruin She pretends,
Diving into his Soul) the Pyle ascends,
And sticks in her Embrace, commanding strait
To Kindle it, and so to joyn their Fate.

The Night her Limits touch'd, and now, amain,
The furious Conquerour came on again.
When the Campanian Youth upon the Walls
Milo, who thither his Companions calls,
Beheld: Affrighted, strait, they open threw
The Gates, and such, as wanted Courage, to
Avoid their Punishment by Death, with low
And trembling Knees, now entertain the Fo.
The Town her Houses, by the Tyrian Guest
Polluted, op'ning, her blinde Rage confest.
Women, and Children, in Confusion, run,
With the sad Senate (that their Woes begun)
And vulgar Crew by none lamented; whiles
The Army all stood leaning on their Piles,
To view those Men, who nor Prosperity,
Nor Misery could bear: sometimes to see
Them sweep the Ground with Beards, which Trimm'd they wear
Down to their Breasts; with Dust their Whiter Hair
To stain, and, poorly Weeping, to entreat
Most shamefully, and yielding Air to beat
With their effeminate Howlings. But, while these
Unmanly Acts the wondring Souldier sees,
And, still Incens'd, expects the Signal to
O'rethrow the Walls, behold! Religion through
Each Breast, with silent Sense of Pity, goes,
And their fierce Mindes doth by her Pow'r compose.
A gentler God doth sensibly inspire
Their Hearts, to lay aside all Thoughts of Fire,
And their destructive Torches: not to burn,
And into Dust, at once, the Temples turn.
He likewise then suggests (to all unseen)
That that proud Town's Foundation had been
By Capys lai'd of old: He tells them there
Fair Houses, fit for Habitation, were
Extended far into delicious Fields.
Thus, by Degrees, their former Fury yields
To milder Thoughts, and, quickly mollifi'd
In ev'ry furious Breast, all Anger dy'd,
The Trojan Houses willing safe to keep,
Jove, likewise, thither sent the God of Sheep,
Pan, who still seems as he were Hanging, and
Scarce on the Earth imprints, wheree're he stand,
One horned Foot; his Right-Hand wanton plays
With a Tegæan Hide, and in cross Ways,
Wagging his Tail, desired Stroaks bestows.
A Pine surrounds his Hair, and Shady Brows:
On his red Front arise two little Horns;
His Ears upright; a squallid Beard adorns
His Chin; a Past'ral Staff he alwaies bears,
And a slick Do-Skin on his Left Side wears:
No ragged Rock so Steep, and High doth rise,
On which, his Body poiz'd, like one that flies,
He will not dare, through pathless Waies, to tread:
Sometimes, he laughing, backward turns his Head,
To see the Sportings of his bushy Tail
Upon his Back; then lifts his Hand to vail
His Forehead from the Sun's too fervent Rays,
And Pastures with his shadow'd Sight survaies.

He, when he had the God's Commands fulfill'd,
Their raging Hearts appeas'd, and Fury still'd,
To the Arcadian Groves away He speeds,
And his lov'd Mænalus, where on shrill Reeds
He sweetly plays, and with his Rural Song
Leads, from the Sacred Hill, his Flocks along.

But, Fulvius commanding that the Fire
Should from the Gates be kept, and leave entire
The Walls, th'Ausonian Legions, to shew
The noble Temper of their Minds, withdrew
Their Flames, and Swords; but from the Temples, and
The Houses, that enrich'd with Gold did stand,
A wealthy Prey they took, with that, which fed
Their Riot, and by which they perished,
Effeminate Garments, that their Men array'd,
And Tables rich, from forein Lands convey'd;
With Goblets, that provok'd to Luxury,
Set with Eöan Gems: nor could they see
An end of Silver, and the carved Weight
(Expressly made for Feasts) of golden Plate.
Then came the Captives, in a num'rous Train,
With all their Coin, sufficient to maintain
Along-protracted War: with Servants, that,
In Multitudes, did at their Banquets Wait.

But, when from Plunder of the Town, agen,
The Gen'ral, by the Trumpet's sound, His Men
Had call'd (a Noble Cherisher of Great
Attempts) to Milo, from his lofty Seat,
He thus began: Lanuvian Youth, whom We
From Juno Sospita receive, from Me
This Martial Honour, for thy Victory,
Accept, and 'bout thy Tower'd Temples try
This Mural Crown. This done, he streightway sent
For all the Nobles, that first Punishment
Had merited, and, for their treach'rous Deeds,
Beneath his juster Ax each Guilty bleeds.
But, that fierce Valour, Taurea (for to hide,
Ev'n in a Fo, that Honour had been try'd,
Were base) with a loud Voice exclaims; Shalt Thou,
Thus Unreveng'd by Me, deprive Me now,
(A Soul more Great, then Thine) of this My Sword?
Or by the Lictour (when thou giv'st the Word)
Shall this most Valiant Head dissever'd fall
At such base Feet? On Us this never shall:
Be by the Gods allow'd. Then with a Look
Threatning, and full of Rage, he sudden strook
His Warlike Sword quite through his Breast, and dy'd.
To whom the Romane General reply'd;
Go, and the Ruin of thy Countrey thus
Accompany in Death. What Minds in Us
Remain, what is Our Valour, what We are
(Each Man of Us) shall be discern'd in War.
If thou dost think it Shamefull to abide
Just Punishment, thou mightst have fighting dy'd;
Thy Countrey suff'ring, at the very time,
With Streams of Blood for her unhappy Crime.

But, mixing Joys with Sorrows, the dire Hand
Of Fortune, then in the Iberian Land
Two Noble Scipioes had destroy'd, that there
Great Griefs, and Honours to their Countrey were.
By Chance a Youth, of that Illustrious Name,
Into the Dicarchæan City came,
After Extremities of War: and there
Resided. Fame, reporting to his Ear
His Friend's sad Destiny, and Tears, (though He
Ne're us'd to stoop under Adversity)
Beating his Breast, he tears his Garments: nor
Could Sense of Honour, or a Souldier,
Nor the Perswasions of his Friends prevail;
But still his angry Piety doth rail
On the unequal Gods; hates all Relief,
And usual Comforts of encreasing Grief.
And now some days were spent in sad Complaint,
And still his Father's Ghost seems conversant
Before his Eyes, and therefore he intends
To raise the Souls, and Manes of his Friends,
And by Discourse with them, at length, the Rage,
And Smart of his great Sorrows to asswage.
So, by a Neighb'ring Lake invited, where
The Acherusian Liquour doth Declare
The horrid Entrance to Avernus, strait
His Thoughts are fir'd to know ensuing Fate.
And therefore to Autonöe (who then,
Under Apollo's Name, the sacred Den,
And Tripods kept) He goes, and open lays
The Counsels of his troubled Breast, and prays
To see his Father's Face. Without delay,
The Prophetess commands him strait to slay,
To th'Shades below, the usual Sacrifice,
Two Coal-black Lambs, as Day began to rise;
And, while they yet were Breathing, as they dy'd,
The flowing Blood within the Earth to Hide,
Then shall the Stygian Empire send to Thee
Her People. What thou more desir'st (quoth She)
To know, a greater Prophetess shall Sing.
For I to Thee true Oracles will bring
From the Elysian Fields, and Thou shalt see,
Amidst old Sibyl's Rites performed by Me,
That fam'd Phœbean Breast's Prophetick Shade.
Go then, and, when the dewy Night hath made
Her course beyond her middle Line, then bring
Th'aforesaid Victims to the Stygian King,
Chast, to Avernus Entrance. Likewise joyn
To them choice Honey, and the purest Wine.
He, quickned by Her Counsel, and no less
With the great Name o'th' promis'd Prophetess,
The Sacrifices for his dark Design
Prepares, and, when to the appointed Line
The Night arriv'd, and what was finished
Equal'd the following Darkness, from his Bed
He rose, and to the troubled Entrance went
Of the Tartarean Port; where, Diligent
To keep her Word, the Prophetess had then
All things fulfill'd, and sate i'th' Stygian Den.
Then that Way, where at first the broken Ground,
A Cave, that ne're by Sun was seen, is found,
And sadly groaning, from its hollow Mouth,
Belcheth Cocytus bitter Streams, the Youth
Into't She leads; commands him, in the Ground
With's Sword to dig an Hole; and, Trotting round,
Mutt'ring a secret Charm, She bids, that all
The Beasts for Sacrifice, in order, fall.
To Pluto first a Bull; to Hecate,
With a chast Neck, and Heifer; then to Thee,
Alecto, and Megæra (ever sad)
The chosen Bodies of two Sheep, that had
But two years liv'd: on these they Milk infus'd,
Honey, and Wine. The Youth stood still amus'd,
While the old Prophetess exclaim'd, She well
Perceiv'd each Face, that did with Pluto dwell.
I see, said She, all Hell approaching, and
Now the third Empire in my View doth stand.
Behold what various Shapes, and whatsoe're
Was born of Man, and dy'd together, there
From deepest Chaos come. The Cyclops see!
Scylla, and those, that with such Cruelty
Their Thracian Horses fed with Flesh of Men!
Attend, and mark; and, without Fear, agen
Put up thy Sword. Those Souls, that in such Haste
March on before, the Off'red Blood to Tast,
Let pass, till the chast Sibyl's Shade appear.
In the mean time, Behold! how Speedy there
Comes that Unburied Ghost to speak to Thee,
And hath (as when Alive) the Liberty
To use its Voice, till on the Fun'ral Wood
Its Body burn, if it hath touch'd no Blood.
This noble Scipio saw, and, troubled at
The sudden Apparition, said; O what
Sad Chance Thee from thy sinking Country, when
Our horrid Wars require such Gallant Men,
Renowned Captain, snatch'd? for none could Thee
(Appius) in Valour, or in Policy
Excel. Ten times the glorious Lamp of Day
Hath rose, since I return'd from Capua,
And saw Thee, then, Bathing thy Wounds, and sad
Onely, that they continued still so Bad,
Thou could'st not go unto the Walls, and quite
Depriv'd Thee of the Honour of that Fight.
To which the Ghost reply'd: Th'ensuing Day
The pleasant Horses of the Sun away
From Me (then fainting) turn'd, and banish'd Me
To the dark Waters for Eternity.
But while vain Vulgar Rites the tedious Care
Of Friends pursues, my Body they forbare
To burn; that far about, at length, they may
It to my Father's Sepulcher convey.
But by thy glorious Deeds (which emulate
Those of our Father Mars) I Thee entreat,
Let Drugs, that keep the Bodies of the Dead
Entire in other Lands, be Banished
From Me, that so my Wandring Shade may soon
Go freely to the Gates of Acheron.

Most noble Branch of antient Claudus Line,
None of my Cares shall be preferr'd to Thine,
The Youth replies, although they are not small,
That now Afflict Me: for I know, through all
The Nations of the World, a various Sense
Of Tombs, and Ashes, keeps a difference,
And varies much the Fun'rals of the Dead.
In the Iberian Country (as 'tis said)
An antient Custom 'tis, that Vulturs tire
On their Dead Bodies. When their Kings Expire,
Th'Hyrcanian People think it best t'expose
To Dogs their Members. The Egyptians close
In Stone perfum'd their Bodies, after Fate,
And hardly from their Tables separate
The Bloodless Ghosts. In Pontus they Ordain,
The Heads of Men to empty of the Brain,
And so Embalm'd, for many Ages, keep.
What should We say of those, that Buried deep
Dig naked Garamantians up in Sand?
Or of the Nasamonians, that command,
Their Dead to bury in the cruel Seas
Upon the Libyan Coast? The Celtæ please
Their empty Skuls with Gold about to ring,
And such for Cups unto their Tables bring.
But the Cecropians did by chance Ordain,
That such, as in their Country's Wars were Slain,
Should be together Burn'd. Oppos'd to these,
Time onely doth interr the Carcases
Of Scythian People; who, on Stakes of Wood
Impal'd, hang melting with corrupted Blood.

As thus he talk'd, Autonöe (the Shade
O'th' Sibyl rising) Set a Period, said,
To your Discourse. Behold that Priestess; who
So much of Future things, when living, knew,
That ev'n the Gods, that they knew more, deny'd.
And now 'tis time your Men should go aside,
That You, and I, the Beasts may burn. This said;
With Myst'ries fill'd, the old Cymæan Maid,
After the Sacrificed Blood her Mouth
Had touch'd, and tasted, viewing well the Youth
(Whose Face was Beautiful) began: When I
Etherial Light, not idly, did enjoy,
My voice was heard in the Cymæan Den
To answer People; and Thee (Scipio) then,
In future Ages, and in Rome's Affairs
Concern'd, I sung. But yet thy Father's Cares
Scarce merited my Words: for they nor made
A due Enquiry after what I said,
Nor yet observ'd it. But now mark; since Thou
Desir'st to know the Fates of Rome, which now
On Thine depend (for I thy Diligence
To take the Oracles of Life from hence
Perceive) and here thy Father's Manes see:
On th'arm'd Iberian Thou, with Victory,
Thy Father shalt Revenge: to Mars before
Due years entrusted; and thy Sword the Moor
Shall of his Joys deprive. Thou shalt rejoyce,
When Thee, as Omen to the War, the Voice
Of Rome shall choose: when, in th'Iberian Land,
Carthage Thou shalt subdue. Then to command
More eminent Thou shalt be rais'd, nor Jove
From Thee his Care, and Kindness shall remove,
Till the whole War He into Libya drive.
And there to Thee ev'n Hannibal shall give
To be Subdu'd. But, oh Ingrateful Rome!
Which after all these Honours Thee of Home,
And Country shall deprive. As this She spake,
She turn'd her Steps towards the Stygian Lake.

Whate're ill Chance of Life attends Me, I
(The Youth replies) will my Endeavours try:
Yet may my Breast be free from Guilt! but now
I pray thee (since the onely Cause, that Thou
Didst live, was Humane Labours here to Aid)
Awhile thy Steps restrain (renowned Maid)
And unto Me the silent Shades report,
With all the Terrours of the Stygian Court.
She soon assents to that, which he requir'd,
But Thou a Kingdom, not to be desir'd,
(Said She) dost open: for the Darkness there
People, that once Innumerable were,
Inhabite, and through endless Shadows fly,
And yet make up but One great Family.
I'th'midst a dark, and airy Space, of large
Extent, there is, which common Death doth charge
With all, that from the Teeming World's first Birth
The fiery Air produc'd, the Seas, or Earth.
Thither all things descend, what hath, or shall
Perish, that gloomy Field devoureth all.
Ten Gates this Kingdom compass, whereof One
Receives the Warlike Sons of Mars alone:
Another those, that Famous Laws have made,
And the Foundations, first, of Cities lay'd.
The Third's for Ceres harmless Tribe, that go,
By Fraud unpoison'd, to the Shades below.
Next Those, that pleasant Arts did first invent,
And Way of Living, full of all Content,
And (which not Father Phœbus would Disdain)
Verses compos'd, their proper Gate maintain.
The next the Shipwrack Port, (for so that Gate
Is Nam'd) is kept for such, as meet their Fate
In Winds, and cruel Storms. Another wide,
And near this stands, for such as Guilty dy'd,
And there confess their Sins: Their sev'ral Pains
Ev'n at the Entrance Rhadamanth Ordains,
And empty Death inflicts. The Seventh to Bands
Of Women, that flock thither, open stands:
Where her pale Groves the Chast Proserpina
Maintains. And, near to this, another Way,
And Gate there is, well-known by Infants Cries,
To them assign'd, and all those Companies,
That in the Port of Life extinguish'd are:
And Virgin Troops, whose Nuptial Tapers were
Turn'd into Fun'ral Flames. But then, remote
From this, there is another Gate, of Note,
Which, Night dissolving, shines like rising Day,
And, through the Shadow of a secret Way,
Leads to th'Elysian Fields: Here, nor to Hell
Subjected, nor in Heav'n the Pious dwell.
But quite beyond all Seas, upon the Brink
O'th'Sacred Fountain, thither throng to Drink
Forgetfulness of Minde, in Lethe's Streams.
The Last, with Gold refulgent, feels the Beams
Of Light, and Shines, as if the Moon were there.
This way the Blessed Souls to Heav'n repair,
And, when a thousand Lustra Time hath past,
Forgetting Dis, into their Bodies haste:
Death, his black Jaws wide op'ning, to and fro,
Through all these Ways, and Ports, doth wandring go.
Then a slow Gulph, without a Body, far
Extended, and dark muddy Lakes there are,
Where Phlegethon with swelling Waters burns
The Banks, on ev'ry side, and, Roaring, turns
The flaming Quarries up, with Storms of Fire.
Then, in another Quarter, with as Dire
A Rage, Cocytus rolls black Waves of Blood,
And runs, a Torrent, with a foaming Flood.
But Styx, which Jove himself, and all the rest
Of the Immortal Gods, do still Attest,
Dreadful with Pitch, and Sulphur, smoaking Mud
Drives through his Chanel. But (then These a Flood
More dismal, froathing with Corruption, and
Thick Poison, Belching up the gelid Sand,
With horrid Murmurs) Acheron, through all
The Pools, with a black Stream, doth slowly fall.
This Venom'd Three-mouth Cerberus desires,
This for her Drink Tisiphone requires:
This dire Megæra craves; nor yet can they,
With all their Drink, their raging Thirst allay.
But the last River breaketh out before
The Entrance, and inexorable Door
Of Pluto's Palace, from a Fount of Tears.
There a fourth Tribe, in sev'ral Paths, appears
Of Monsters, still to Watch, and Terrifie
The trembling Ghosts with their confused Cry.
Devouring Grief; and Leanness, that on ill
Diseases waits; with Sadness, feeding still
On Tears; and Paleness without Blood; with Cares,
Base Treachery, old Age, that nothing bares
Without Complaint; Envy, with both her Hands
Crushing her Throat; and Poverty, that stands
Deform'd, and Prone to any thing that's Bad;
With wandring Errour, and Dissension, glad
To mingle Seas with Heav'n; Then Briareus,
That with his hundred Hands the Gates doth use
Of Hell to open; Cruel Sphynx, with Blood
Her Virgin-mouth Besmear'd; the furious Brood
Of two-formed Centaurs; with fierce Scylla there,
And the Rebellious Giants Ghosts, appear:
Here the three-headed Dog, when he hath broke
His Chains, and off a thousand Fetters shook,
And up and down, through Hell, doth Wandring go,
Neither Alecto, nor Megæra, though
With Fury swell'd, come near; while 'bout his Loins
His Vip'rous Tail, he fiercely Barking, twines.
On the Right Hand, a Yew, that like a Wood
Its Branches spreads, and, by Cocytus Flood
Water'd, more Leavy grown, there stands: here dire,
And fatal Birds, Vultures, that rav'ning tire
On Carcases; and num'rous Owls reside:
Schreech-Owls, with Specks of Blood their Pinions dy'd,
And greedy Harpyes build their Nests, and thick
Among the Leaves on all the Branches stick,
And make the Tree with dolefull Cries to nod.
Among these dreadfull Shapes, th'Infernal God
Sits on a Throne, examining the Crimes
Of Kings, and what they did in former Times.
Enchain'd they stand, and 'fore the Judge repent
Too late, while all the Forms of Punishment,
And Furies, round about them fly: and now
How glad would they their Scepters disavow!
Those Souls, which, when on Earth, unworthy, and
Unequal things endur'd, with harsh Command
Insult, and what they living, did not dare
To utter, now Complain of, freely, there.
Then One in cruel Chains is bound upon
A Rock, another rowls a restless Stone;
While, with her Snaky Whip, Megæra still
Pursues him, lab'ring up the lofty Hill.
Such bloody Tyrant's Punishments shall be:
But now the Time's arriv'd, that We to Thee
Must shew thy Mother's Face, whose Shade in Place
The first appears, and hither comes apace.
Pomponia, pregnant by Jove's Stealth, drew nigh.
For, when the Libyan War, in Italy,
Fair Venus knew, endeav'ring to prevent
All Juno's Plots, a silent Flame She sent
Into her Father's Breast: which had not She
Foreknown, the conquer'd Romane Altars We
By Tyrian Virgins kindled now had seen.
But, when the off'red Blood had tasted been,
(As the old Prophetess advis'd) and both
Each other's Faces knew, thus first the Youth
Began: My dearest Mother, who to Me,
Like some great Deity, appear'st; that Thee
I might have seen, how willingly would I
Have dy'd! Oh! what was our sad Destiny,
When that first Day, that gave Me vital Breath,
Thee, without Honour, snatch'd away in Death.
As thus He spoke, his Mother thus again
Replies: O Son, my Death was free from Pain:
For when the Burthen of my Womb was lay'd,
By Jove's Command, Me Mercury convei'd
To the Elysian Fields, and gave Me there
An equal Place, where Læda now, and where
Alcmena by his Sacred Bounty dwell.
But, since We now have time (my Son) to tell
Whence thou didst spring (that thou no Wars maist fear,
Nor doubt to Heav'n by Deeds thy self to rear:
Know this; when I, by Chance, in mid'st of Day,
Retired to repose, and Sleeping lay,
A sudden close Embrace my Members bound,
Not such, as I before my Husband's found,
Nor easy unto Me, and then I clear
(Although my heavy Eys in Slumber were
Involv'd) great Jove beheld (You may believe
This Truth) nor could his borrow'd Shape deceive
Me then, though, turn'd into a scaly Snake,
He, coyling, did a thousand Circles make.
But, soon as Thou wert born, that I should dy
It was Decreed, and then how much did I
Lament, that I to Thee could not declare
These things, before my Soul resolv'd to Air.
At this, t'embrace her Neck he thrice Essai'd
In vain, and lost as oft the fleeting Shade.
This done, two Ghosts of Men, that well agreed,
His Father's, and his Uncle's, strait succeed.
While, through the Shadows pressing on, he there
Vain Kisses sought, and strove those Ghosts, that were
Like flying Smoak, and Clouds, to apprehend:
Oh Thou! on whom our Empire did depend
(My dearest Sire) what God, an Enemy
To the Ausonian Land, did us of Thee
Deprive (said he) Oh Wo to Me! for why,
Was there the least of Time, that, Cruel, I
Should absent be from Thee? thy Death I might
Have chang'd, by this my Brest, oppos'd in Fight.
What Groans th'Italian People, ev'ry where,
Give at your Funerals! The Senate rear,
In Mars's Field, to each of you a Tomb.
Amidst his Speech, the hasty Ghosts assume
The Word: and first his Father's Manes barr'd
His farther Language thus; A fair Reward
Is Virtue to her self; yet it descends
Sweet to the Shades below, when 'mong our Friends
The Glory of our Lives survives: nor our
Due Praises dark Oblivion can devour.
But say, how great a War doth Thee molest?
(Our dear Renown!) how oft doth Fear my Brest
Invade, when I but think how fiercely Thou
Go'st on, when Dangers meet thee! but I now
Conjure thee, by the Cause of our sad Fate,
(Most valiant Youth) thy Rage to moderate,
And thy Desire to Fight; sufficient be
Th'Examples of our Family for Thee.
For the eighth Summer then had reap'd the dry,
And rusling Sheavs of Corn, when conqu'ring I
Had all suppress'd, and the Tartessiack Land
The Yoak accepted from my Brother's Hand.
Her then reviving Walls, and Houses, we
To poor Sagunthus gave. They Bætis, free
From Foes, then Drunk: oft Hasdrubal to Us
His Back had turn'd. But, oh their barbarous,
And still corrupted Faith! When Victour I
Advanc'd 'gainst Hasdrubal, with Misery
Almost Destroy'd (a sudden Change) Behold!
The Spanish Troops, which with his Libyan Gold
(A Mercenary People) Hasdrubal
Had made, breaking their Ranks, their Ensigns all
Forsook: then straitway Us, deserted by
Our Auxiliary Bands, the Enemy
With a thick Ring (more numerous in Men)
Encompass'd round; nor did we Poorly then,
Or Un-reveng'd, the last of all our Days
On Earth conclude, but ended it with Praise.

To this his Brother thus began to joyn
His own Mishaps, and said; In the Decline
Of our Affairs, a lofty Castle I
For a Retreat desir'd, and thereto try
Our last Attempt: a thousand Torches they
With Lamps, and smoaking Fire-brands, ev'ry way
Into it threw. For what concerns my Fall,
I of the Gods make no Complaint at all:
For they my Body burn'd, and to a Grave
Of large Extent, my Arms fix'd on it, gave.
But I am griev'd, lest, since We both are slain,
The Libyans should o'rerun oppressed Spain.
To which the Youth, his Face with Tears o'respread,
Replies. Ye Gods! as She hath merited,
May Carthage all just Punishment endure
For these foul Deeds! But He, who under your
Command was try'd, brave Martius, hath restrain'd
The fierce Pyrenean Troops, and entertain'd
Our weary Friends, and with known Arms the War
Maintains: and, it is fam'd, the Conquerour
In Battel lately was o'rethrown, and all
Due Piacles exacted for your Fall.
Much joy'd at this, the Gen'rals went again
To those sweet Places, where the Bless'd remain.
The Youth, adoring them, with eager Eys
Pursues them: and now Paulus Ghost supplies
Their Room, scarce to be known, as then he stood,
'Mong many Ghosts. But, having drunk the Blood,
He thus began: Thou Light of Italy,
Whose Martial Deeds, then one Man's greater, I
Have seen. Who now hath instigated Thee
These Kingdoms, where once All must dwell, to see?
To whom again sad Scipio thus replies;
Great General, how long, with weeping Eys,
Did Rome thy Fate lament? how near with Thee,
Falling to Stygian Darkness, did we see
Oenotrian Palaces! The Tyrian Fo
Did on Thee Dea da Sepulcher bestow,
And in thy Honour sought for Praise. With Tears
While Paulus thus his Hostile Burial hears,
Before their Eys Flaminius, Gracchus, and,
With a sad Countenance, Servilius stand,
At Cannæ slain. A great Desire he had
To speak to them, and farther Language add:
But stronger Inclinations to know
More antient Ghosts made him desist, and now
Brutus, that merited immortal Fame
By's cruel Ax; Camillus then, that came
Near to the Gods in Praise, and, hating Gold,
Curius he sees, (their Names the Sibyl told,
And shew'd their Faces, as they came) That's He,
That, though of Sight depriv'd, the Treacherie
Of Peace, and Pyrrhus from the Gates repell'd:
And that, the Bridg behinde him broken, held
His Station valiantly, and did exclude
Returning Scepters, when the King pursu'd
To Tyber's Banks. If you desire to see
The Man, that in the former War (said She)
The League with Libya made, Lutatius there
Behold, with Naval Arms, a Conquerer.
But, if Amilcar's cruel Shade you'd know,
See! That is it, that stands far off; his Brow
(Not smooth'd by Death) as yet his rabid Ire
Retains: to talk with him if you desire,
Tasting the Blood, with your permission, He
May speak; which granted, and when Greedily
The thirsty Shade had drunk; first Scipio thus
With angry Looks upbraids him: Such with Us
(Thou Sire of Fraud) are then thy Leagues? with Thee,
Captiv'd, on the Sicanian Coast, did We
This Contract make? Against all Leagues, thy Son
Ausonia, with War, doth over-run,
And comes upon Us, breaking through the Bars
O'th' Alpes. All Italy with barb'rous Wars
Is now inflam'd, and back, obstructed by
Sad Slaughters, to their Springs our Rivers fly.
To this the Shade reply'd: So soon, as He
Was ten Years old, the Latine War, by Me
Commanded, He espous'd. Nor must He now
Deceive those Gods, attested to the Vow
Made to his Father. But, if now with Fire
He Italy destroy, and still aspire
To overthrow that State, deriv'd from Troy.
O Piety! O holy Faith! O Boy,
Indeed mine Own! and would to Heav'n He might
Repair that Honour, We have lost in Fight!
Seeming to swell, with Speed (as this he said)
He vanish'd, and retir'd a greater Shade.

Next these, the Prophetess those Ghosts disclos'd,
That, Arm'd, to conquer'd Nations dispos'd
Their Laws: with those, that first the Romanes taught
Those Sacred Laws, from Pallas City brought.
Scipio, well-pleas'd, with an infatiate Ey
Views all their Faces, and would willingly
Have talk'd with all, had not the Prophetess
Inform'd him, that their Troops were numberless.
What Myriads in all the World dost Thou
Believe descend to Hell, since here you now
All these behold? A boundless Torrent there
Of Shades continually run down, and are
In Charon's spatious Vessel wasted ore;
And that base Boat's sufficient, were they more.
Many past by, the Virgin to his View
Presents a Youth. This is that Wand'rer, who
His Ensigns, where He march'd, did Conqu'ring bare;
By whom the Bactrii, and the Dacæ were
Subdu'd; who Ganges drunk on conquer'd Ground;
With a Pellæan Bridg Niphate bound,
Whose Walls now stand where sacred Nile doth run.
To him Ænëades: Thou certain Son
Of Libya's horned Hammon! Oh, how far
Doth thy indubitable Fame, in War,
All Generals excel! The like Desire
(Renowned Shade) hath set my Brest on Fire,
To know which Way thou took'st thy self to raise
To that proud Honour, and great Height of Praise.
To whom the Ghost: A dull Sedulity,
In War, is base. Thou by Activity,
And Daring, may'st accomplish greatest Wars.
Slow Valour never yet unto the Stars
Her self hath rais'd. Do Thou precipitate
The time of thy great Deeds. Black Death doth wait
Upon the Active Man. Thus having said,
He vanish'd. Strait succeeded Crœsus Shade,
Rich, when alive; now, levell'd with the Poor.
But when, arising from th'Elysian Shore,
The Manes of a Beautious Youth he spy'd,
Whose Tresses, with a Purple Fillet ty'd,
Flow'd on his radiant Neck: Divinest Maid,
Tell me (said He) who is that glorious Shade,
Whose sacred Fore-head with a Light's indu'd,
To him peculiar, and a Multitude
Of Souls, admiring, follow, and, about
Him thronging, seem to give a joyful Shout?
Oh, what a Face! did I not see him here
I'th' Stygian Shade, I easily should swear
He were a God. Nor art deceiv'd (quoth She)
He hath deserv'd to seem a Deity:
Nor in so great a Breast was there a small
Divinity. For He in Verses all
The Seas, and Earth, with Heav'n, and Hell compris'd,
And in his Song the Muses equaliz'd,
In Honour Phœbus: when he could notsee,
All this unto the World, in order, he
Divulg'd, and rais'd your Troy unto the Skies.
Scipio, the sacred Shade with joyful Eys
Beholding, said; Would but the Fates allow,
That through the Universe this Prophet now
Might sing the Romane Deeds; how much more great
Would the same Things, with his Certificate,
Pass to succeeding Times? Thrice happy You,
Æäcides, to whom it happ'ned, to
The World by such a Tongue to be express'd:
For by his Verse thy Valour still encreas'd.
But what's that Troop, that such Applauses give,
Seeking the Ghosts of Heroes, and receive
The Greater Shades? With that Achilles He,
And mighty Hector, is amaz'd to see.
And then the Valiant Ajax stately Pace
Admires, and Nestor's venerable Face.
But he was pleas'd, when he beheld the Two
Renown'd Atrides, and Ulysses, who,
In Prudence, equall'd great Achilles Deeds.
To these Ledæan Castor's Shade succeeds,
About to live; for then Alternate Light
Pollux in Heav'n maintain'd. But, to his Sight
Presented, strait: Lavinia's Shade withdrew
His Face: for then the Maid advis'd him to
Consider Womens Shades, lest rising Day
Should summon Her (protracting Time) away.
This Venus happy Daughter is (said She)
That Trojans long-deriv'd Posterity,
Joyn'd to the Latines. Would you see the Bold
Quirinus Bride? Hersilia there behold,
Once by Her Sheepherd Husband ravish'd, when
Their Neighbours scorn'd such rough, unpleasant Men,
Yet She, well-pleas'd, his homely Cottage saw,
And lay with him on Pallets made of Straw,
And angry Sires, from 'vengeful Arms, withdrew.
But now Carmenta's Godlike Gesture view;
She was Evander's Mother, and Divin'd
Your present Labours. If you have a minde
To see the Face of Tanaquil: that's She,
Whose Chaster minde prevail'd in Augury,
And to her Husband did his Throne foreshew,
And in the Bird the Gods propitious knew.
There see, of Romane Chastity the Grace,
Lucretia, glorious in her Death, her Face,
And Eys fix'd on the Ground still bears. Thou (Rome)
Must not, alass! nor doth it Thee become
To wish the long Fruition of so great
A Praise. Near Her, Virginia see; who, yet
The Wound retaining, in her bleeding Breast,
(Sad Monument, that Chastity exprest
Defended by the Sword!) her Father's hand
Applauds, in that dire stroke. Next her doth stand
The famous Clælia, who to fly thy Yoak
(Porsenna) her Weak Sex contemn'd, and broke
The Lidyan War, and Tyber: such, as She
(A Virgin) Rome once Wish'd her Men to be,
This sudden Apparition much Dismai'd
Yong Scipio, who, more enquiring, said;
What may those guilty Manes be, and why
Are they Tormented? She gave this reply.
That Tullia, who with her Chariot tore,
And broke her Father's Members, and stood o're
His trembling Face with her contracted Reins,
That She may ne'er be free from lasting Pains,
Swims in hot Phlegethon, that, rapid, springs
From smoaking Furnaces, and upward flings
Burn'd Rocks, made harder by the River's Heat,
And still with Flaming Flints her Face doth beat.
But She, whose Lungs a Bird's sharp Bill destroys,
(Hark! with his beating Wings how great a Noise,
Returning to his Food, the Bird of Jove
Now makes!) Oh horrid Wickedness! for Love
Of Gold, the Capitol, that Treach'rous Maid
(Tarpeia) to the Sabine Troops betrai'd.
Then dost not see (for lighter Crimes our Laws
Scarce touch) dire Orcus still with hungry Jaws
Doth bark? Of old the monstrous Guardian He
Of the Iberian heard, and eagerly
Assaulteth with his Teeth, and fiercely Trails
The Entrails out with his polluted Nails.
Yet is the Punishment inferiour to
The Sin, that Vestal voluntary threw
Her Virgin Zone away, and sacred Rites
Of Vesta stain'd. But now these sev'ral Sights,
Which you have seen, sufficient are, I strait
To Thee (concluding) will enumerate
Some Souls, that now Oblivion drink (they are
But few) and so again to Night repair.
That Marius (for the Time's not long when he
Shall go into Etherial Light) shall be
Your Consul, and shall long Command procure
From humble Birth. Nor shall Sylla endure
Long to drink drowsy Lethe, or Obey.
Fate, which no God can Change, and Life away
Him call. He first shall Seize, as by Assault,
The Empire, but the glory of his Fault
Shall be, that he shall it restore alone,
And in so great a Name there shall be none,
That shall desire to second Sylla. He,
Whose Hair erect on's rugged Front, you see
Is Pompey, a most glorious Head on Earth,
And by the World belov'd. But He, that Birth
O'th'Gods, who lifts his Starry Head so high,
As Cæsar, of Iülus Progeny,
When these break from their dark Abodes, by Sea,
And Land, how great, how mighty things will they
Attempt? Alass, how oft will they Contend
In Fight through all the World? nor in the End,
Shalt thou (the Conquerour) less Guilty dy,
Then He, o're whom thou gain'st the Victory.

Then Scipio, Weeping, said: It grieves me much,
That the sad Order of Affairs is such
For Italy. But if, when Life is done,
There be no Pardon, and ev'n Death must run
The hazard of Desert; say, in what part
Of Phlegethon, his Sins still burning smart
Shall Hannibal endure? or, tell me, where
Shall a fit rav'nous Fowl for ever tare
His Limbs, which for her Food shall still encrease?
Oh! fear not that, exclaims the Prophetess,
A Life inviolate he shall not lead,
Nor in his Country shall his Bones, when Dead,
Be lay'd to rest. For when he shall in Fight
Be Vanquished, and all his Forces quite
Dispers'd, he shall endure to be O'rethrown,
And beg inglorious Safety. Macedon,
For War, shall give him Hopes again to rise
In Arms; and then (condemn'd for Treacheries)
His constant Wife, and Son forsaken, He
Shall Carthage quit, and through the Ocean flee
In a small Ship. Cilician Taurus then
Hee'l visit. But (alass!) how foolish Men
Will rather choose hard Servitude to bare,
The Hot, and Cold Excesses of the Air,
With Hunger, Flight, and Seas; then once to Dy.
He, after these great Wars, in Italy,
A Servant to th'Assyrian King shall be,
And thence, depriv'd of his Desire to see
Ausonia embroil'd, with doubtful Sails
Shall put to Sea, until, with lazy Gales,
Brought to the Prusiack Coast, grown weak with Age,
He in another Service shall engage,
And, through that Kingdom's Aid, a Shelter finde:
Till, that their Enemy may be resign'd
The Romanes urging, secret Poison there
In Haste he drinks, and from continual Fear
Absolve the doubtful World. Thus having said,
To hollow Shades of Erebus the Maid
Again withdraws; and Scipio strait ascends
Unto the Port, and his rejoycing Friends.