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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Dress, and Good Breeding. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Dress, and Good Breeding.
Be not too finical, but yet be clean,
And wear well fashion'd Cloths, like other Men.
Nor sputt'ring speak, nor let your Teeth be foul,
Nor in wide Shoes your Feet too loosely roul.
Of a black Muzzle, and black Beard beware,
And let a skilfull Barber cut your Hair.
Your Nails be pick'd from Filth, and even par'd;
Nor let your nasty Nostrils bud with Beard:
Cure your unsavoury Breath; gargle your Throat;
And free your Arm-Pits from the Ram and Goat.—
And wear well fashion'd Cloths, like other Men.
Nor sputt'ring speak, nor let your Teeth be foul,
Nor in wide Shoes your Feet too loosely roul.
Of a black Muzzle, and black Beard beware,
And let a skilfull Barber cut your Hair.
Your Nails be pick'd from Filth, and even par'd;
Nor let your nasty Nostrils bud with Beard:
Cure your unsavoury Breath; gargle your Throat;
And free your Arm-Pits from the Ram and Goat.—
Beauty's the Gift of Gods, the Sex's Pride!
Yet to how many is that Gift deny'd!
Art helps a Face: a Face tho' heav'nly fair,
May quickly fade for want of needful Care.—
Yet to how many is that Gift deny'd!
Art helps a Face: a Face tho' heav'nly fair,
May quickly fade for want of needful Care.—
Let not the Nymph with Pendants load her Ear,
Nor in Embroidery, or Brocade, appear:
Too rich a Dress may sometimes check Desire,
And Cleanliness more animates Love's Fire.
The Hair dispos'd, may gain or lose a Grace,
And much become, or misbecome the Face.
What suits your Features of your Glass enquire,
For no one Rule is fix'd for Head Attire.—
Nor in Embroidery, or Brocade, appear:
Too rich a Dress may sometimes check Desire,
And Cleanliness more animates Love's Fire.
The Hair dispos'd, may gain or lose a Grace,
And much become, or misbecome the Face.
What suits your Features of your Glass enquire,
For no one Rule is fix'd for Head Attire.—
A Face too long should part and flat the Hair,
Least, upward comb'd, the Length too much appear:
So Laodamia dress'd. A Face too round
Sould shew the Ears, and with a Tow'r be crown'd.
On either Shoulder, one, her Locks displays,
Adorn'd like Phœbus when he sings his Lays:
Another, all her Tresses ties behind;
So dress'd, Diana hunts the fearful Hind.
Dishevell'd Locks most graceful are to some:
Others the binding Fillets more become:
Some plat, like spiral Shells, their braded Hair:
Others the loose and waving Curl prefer.—
Least, upward comb'd, the Length too much appear:
So Laodamia dress'd. A Face too round
Sould shew the Ears, and with a Tow'r be crown'd.
On either Shoulder, one, her Locks displays,
Adorn'd like Phœbus when he sings his Lays:
Another, all her Tresses ties behind;
So dress'd, Diana hunts the fearful Hind.
267
Others the binding Fillets more become:
Some plat, like spiral Shells, their braded Hair:
Others the loose and waving Curl prefer.—
Many there are who seem to slight all Care,
And with a pleasing Negligence ensnare:
Whole Mornings oft, in such a Dress are spent,
And all is Art, that looks like Accident.—
And with a pleasing Negligence ensnare:
Whole Mornings oft, in such a Dress are spent,
And all is Art, that looks like Accident.—
As Fields you find with various Flow'rs o'erspread,
When Vineyards bud, and Winters Frost is fled:
So various are the Colours you may try,
Of which the thirsty Wool imbibes the Dye.
Try ev'ry one, what best becomes you, wear:
For no Complexion all alike, can bear.
If fair the Skin, black may become it best;
In black the lovely fair Briseïs dress'd:
If brown the Nymph, let her be cloth'd in white;
Andromeda so charm'd the wond'ring Sight.—
When Vineyards bud, and Winters Frost is fled:
So various are the Colours you may try,
Of which the thirsty Wool imbibes the Dye.
Try ev'ry one, what best becomes you, wear:
For no Complexion all alike, can bear.
If fair the Skin, black may become it best;
In black the lovely fair Briseïs dress'd:
If brown the Nymph, let her be cloth'd in white;
Andromeda so charm'd the wond'ring Sight.—
Faults in your Person, or your Face, correct:
And few are seen that have not some Defect.
The Nymph too short, her Seat should seldom quit,
Lest, when she stands, she may be thought to sit:
And, when extended on her Couch she lies,
Let Length of Petticoats conceal her Size.
The Lean, of thick wrought Stuff her Cloths should chuse,
And fuller made than what the plumper use.
If pale, let her the crimson Juice apply:
If swarthy, to the pearly Fucus fly.
A Leg too lank, tight Garters still must wear,
Nor should an ill-shap'd Foot be ever bare.
Round Shoulders, bolster'd will appear the least:
And lacing straight, confines too full a Breast.
Whose Fingers are too fat, and Nails too coarse,
Should always shun much Gesture in Discourse.
And You, whose Breath is touch'd, this Caution take,
Nor fasting, nor too near another, speak.
Let not the Nymph with Laughter much abound,
Whose Teeth are black, uneven, or unsound.
You'd hardly think how much on this depends,
And how a Laugh, or spoils a Face, or mends.
Gape not too wide, lest you disclose your Gums,
And lose the Dimple which the Cheek becomes:
Nor let your Sides too strong Concussions shake,
Lest you the Softness of the Sex forsake.—
And few are seen that have not some Defect.
The Nymph too short, her Seat should seldom quit,
Lest, when she stands, she may be thought to sit:
And, when extended on her Couch she lies,
Let Length of Petticoats conceal her Size.
The Lean, of thick wrought Stuff her Cloths should chuse,
And fuller made than what the plumper use.
If pale, let her the crimson Juice apply:
If swarthy, to the pearly Fucus fly.
A Leg too lank, tight Garters still must wear,
Nor should an ill-shap'd Foot be ever bare.
Round Shoulders, bolster'd will appear the least:
And lacing straight, confines too full a Breast.
Whose Fingers are too fat, and Nails too coarse,
Should always shun much Gesture in Discourse.
And You, whose Breath is touch'd, this Caution take,
Nor fasting, nor too near another, speak.
Let not the Nymph with Laughter much abound,
Whose Teeth are black, uneven, or unsound.
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And how a Laugh, or spoils a Face, or mends.
Gape not too wide, lest you disclose your Gums,
And lose the Dimple which the Cheek becomes:
Nor let your Sides too strong Concussions shake,
Lest you the Softness of the Sex forsake.—
Neglect no Means which may promote your Ends:
Now learn what way of Walking recommends.
One has an artful Swing and Jut behind,
Which helps her Coats to catch the swelling Wind:
Swell'd with the wanton Wind they loosely flow,
And ev'ry Step and graceful Motion show.
Another, like an Umbrian's sturdy Spouse,
Strides all the Space her Petticoat allows.
Between Extreams, in this, a Mean adjust:
Nor shew too nice a Gate, nor too robust.—
Now learn what way of Walking recommends.
One has an artful Swing and Jut behind,
Which helps her Coats to catch the swelling Wind:
Swell'd with the wanton Wind they loosely flow,
And ev'ry Step and graceful Motion show.
Another, like an Umbrian's sturdy Spouse,
Strides all the Space her Petticoat allows.
Between Extreams, in this, a Mean adjust:
Nor shew too nice a Gate, nor too robust.—
By Art we're won: Gold, Gems, and rich Attire,
Make up the Pageant you so much admire:
In all that glitt'ring Figure which you see,
The least, least Part of her own self is she.
In vain, for her you love, amidst such Cost,
You search: the Mistress in the Dress is lost.—
Make up the Pageant you so much admire:
In all that glitt'ring Figure which you see,
The least, least Part of her own self is she.
In vain, for her you love, amidst such Cost,
You search: the Mistress in the Dress is lost.—
Proud Cleopatra with Ambition fir'd,
Had stain'd her Cheeks, and arm'd with artful Care
Her fatal Eyes, new Conquests to prepare:
Bright Jewels grac'd her Neck, and sparkled in her Hair.
O'ercharg'd with Spoils which the Red-Sea supply'd,
Scarce can she move beneath the pond'rous Pride.
Of wondrous Work, a thin Sydonian Lawn
O'er each soft Breast in Decency was drawn:
But thro' the Veil, contriv'd its Charms to shew,
Her lovely Bosom panting rose to View.—
Had stain'd her Cheeks, and arm'd with artful Care
Her fatal Eyes, new Conquests to prepare:
Bright Jewels grac'd her Neck, and sparkled in her Hair.
O'ercharg'd with Spoils which the Red-Sea supply'd,
Scarce can she move beneath the pond'rous Pride.
Of wondrous Work, a thin Sydonian Lawn
O'er each soft Breast in Decency was drawn:
But thro' the Veil, contriv'd its Charms to shew,
Her lovely Bosom panting rose to View.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |