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 |
 | I. |
|
 |
Cuckold.
|
| II. |
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
219
Cuckold.
Venus'
Amour with Mars, the Sun (we're told)
First saw: for all things he does first behold.
Griev'd at the Sight, and swift, on Mischief bent,
To Venus' Husband, Juno's Son, he sent:
The Goddess and her God Gallant betray'd,
And told the Cuckold where their Pranks were play'd.
Poor Vulcan soon desir'd to hear no more:
He dropp'd his Hammer, and he shook all o'er.
But straight recov'ring, with malicious Pains,
A Net he forms of Brass, and brazen Chains,
So exquisitely fine, the sharpest Sight
Could not discern them in the fairest Light:
The Spider's Web, spread out to take her Prey,
Is not so thin, so finely drawn as they.
The Work, obedient to the Touch, he spread
In secret Foldings o'er the conscious Bed:
And when th' adult'rous God and Goddess came,
To quench, again, and satisfy their Flame:
The just Machine, so artfully prepar'd,
Both, in the very Act of Love, ensnar'd.
Vulcan the Iv'ry folding Doors displays,
And calls the Gods to witness his Disgrace.
Together link'd th' entangled Lovers lay,
Expos'd, and naked, in the Face of Day:
The Gods with Envy view'd, and could not blame,
But for the Pleasure wish'd to bear the Shame.
All laugh'd aloud: and, at each heav'nly Feast,
The wanton Tale became a standing Jest.—
First saw: for all things he does first behold.
Griev'd at the Sight, and swift, on Mischief bent,
To Venus' Husband, Juno's Son, he sent:
The Goddess and her God Gallant betray'd,
And told the Cuckold where their Pranks were play'd.
Poor Vulcan soon desir'd to hear no more:
He dropp'd his Hammer, and he shook all o'er.
But straight recov'ring, with malicious Pains,
A Net he forms of Brass, and brazen Chains,
So exquisitely fine, the sharpest Sight
Could not discern them in the fairest Light:
The Spider's Web, spread out to take her Prey,
Is not so thin, so finely drawn as they.
The Work, obedient to the Touch, he spread
In secret Foldings o'er the conscious Bed:
And when th' adult'rous God and Goddess came,
To quench, again, and satisfy their Flame:
The just Machine, so artfully prepar'd,
Both, in the very Act of Love, ensnar'd.
Vulcan the Iv'ry folding Doors displays,
And calls the Gods to witness his Disgrace.
Together link'd th' entangled Lovers lay,
Expos'd, and naked, in the Face of Day:
The Gods with Envy view'd, and could not blame,
But for the Pleasure wish'd to bear the Shame.
All laugh'd aloud: and, at each heav'nly Feast,
The wanton Tale became a standing Jest.—
Before her Husband, Lesbia calls me Names,
And at the Lewdness of the Town exclaims:
This tickles the poor Cuckold to the Life,
And he thanks Heav'n for such a virtuous Wife.
Contented Fool!—Your Reas'ning is quite wrong:
If she were Virtuous, she would hold her Tongue.
Scandal and Noise do not her Virtue prove,
But are the Marks of unextinguish'd Love.—
And at the Lewdness of the Town exclaims:
This tickles the poor Cuckold to the Life,
And he thanks Heav'n for such a virtuous Wife.
Contented Fool!—Your Reas'ning is quite wrong:
If she were Virtuous, she would hold her Tongue.
Scandal and Noise do not her Virtue prove,
But are the Marks of unextinguish'd Love.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |