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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Eloquence.
As when Sedition oft in populous Towns
Is rais'd, and fierce th' ignoble Vulgar rave:
Now Stones, and Firebrands fly: Rage Arms supplies:
If then by chance they 'spy a Sage, rever'd
For Piety and Worth, All silent stand,
List'ning with Ears attentive: with his Words
He rules their Passion, and their Heat allays.—
Is rais'd, and fierce th' ignoble Vulgar rave:
Now Stones, and Firebrands fly: Rage Arms supplies:
If then by chance they 'spy a Sage, rever'd
For Piety and Worth, All silent stand,
List'ning with Ears attentive: with his Words
He rules their Passion, and their Heat allays.—
Now from his Seat arose Laërtes' Son;
Look'd down a while, and paus'd e'er he begun:
Then to th' expecting Princes rais'd his Look,
And not without prepar'd Attention spoke.
Soft was his Tone and sober was his Face,
Action his Words, and Words his Action grace.—
Look'd down a while, and paus'd e'er he begun:
Then to th' expecting Princes rais'd his Look,
And not without prepar'd Attention spoke.
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Action his Words, and Words his Action grace.—
Learn Eloquence, You noble Youth of Rome:
It will not only at the Bar o'ercome,
The wond'ring People, and the Senate move,
But Eloquence will gain the Maid you love.—
It will not only at the Bar o'ercome,
The wond'ring People, and the Senate move,
But Eloquence will gain the Maid you love.—
The fam'd Ulysses was nor Fair, nor Young,
But eloquent, and charming was his Tongue:
And yet for him contending Beauties strove,
And ev'ry Sea-Nymph sought the Hero's Love.
Ah! how Calypso griev'd, when from her Shores
He thought to sail, and stopp'd his hasty Oars!
Oft she enquir'd of ruin'd Ilium's Fate,
And made him oft the wondrous Tale relate:
Which with such Grace his florid Tongue could frame,
The Story still was new, tho' still the same.—
But eloquent, and charming was his Tongue:
And yet for him contending Beauties strove,
And ev'ry Sea-Nymph sought the Hero's Love.
Ah! how Calypso griev'd, when from her Shores
He thought to sail, and stopp'd his hasty Oars!
Oft she enquir'd of ruin'd Ilium's Fate,
And made him oft the wondrous Tale relate:
Which with such Grace his florid Tongue could frame,
The Story still was new, tho' still the same.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |