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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Elements.
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Elements.
See Change. Creation.
The Force of Fire ascended first on high,
And void of Weight, blaz'd from the vaulted Sky:
Air, next in Levity, and next in Place,
Sunk lower down, and fill'd the midmost Space:
The Earth, of closer and compacter State,
Fell, self-incumber'd with it's native Weight,
Attracting all that's gross:—and flowing round
The Water last took Place, and Earth's firm Circuit bound.—
And void of Weight, blaz'd from the vaulted Sky:
Air, next in Levity, and next in Place,
Sunk lower down, and fill'd the midmost Space:
The Earth, of closer and compacter State,
Fell, self-incumber'd with it's native Weight,
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The Water last took Place, and Earth's firm Circuit bound.—
For this eternal World is said, of old,
But four prolific Principles to hold:
Of these, two by their native Weight descend,
Water and Earth: these ever downwards tend:
An equal Number, uncompell'd, aspire,
Devoid of Weight; pure Air, and purer Fire.
All Things are mix'd of These, which all contain,
And into these are all resolv'd again.—
But four prolific Principles to hold:
Of these, two by their native Weight descend,
Water and Earth: these ever downwards tend:
An equal Number, uncompell'd, aspire,
Devoid of Weight; pure Air, and purer Fire.
All Things are mix'd of These, which all contain,
And into these are all resolv'd again.—
Upwards the Fire on active Pinions fled,
To Heav'n's high Arch it rais'd it's shining Head,
There took it's Place, and circling round the Frame,
For Nature's Bulwark roll'd a Wall of Flame.
Then liquid Air, spread thro' the empty Space,
Less light and active took the second Place:
But next the Flame the lightest Parts aspire,
To waste themselves, and feed the greedy Fire.
The heavier Water makes an humbler Claim,
And lies, the third in order, in the Frame;
That Vapours, rising, may like Seed, repair
What Fire destroys, and feed decaying Air.
Earth to the Center by it's Weight sinks down.—
To Heav'n's high Arch it rais'd it's shining Head,
There took it's Place, and circling round the Frame,
For Nature's Bulwark roll'd a Wall of Flame.
Then liquid Air, spread thro' the empty Space,
Less light and active took the second Place:
But next the Flame the lightest Parts aspire,
To waste themselves, and feed the greedy Fire.
The heavier Water makes an humbler Claim,
And lies, the third in order, in the Frame;
That Vapours, rising, may like Seed, repair
What Fire destroys, and feed decaying Air.
Earth to the Center by it's Weight sinks down.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |