The Works of Tibullus Containing his Love-Elegies. Translated by Mr Dart. To which is added, The Life of the Author; with Observations on the Original Design of Elegiack Verse; and the Characters of the most Celebrated Greek, Latin and English Elegiack Poets |
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 | The Works of Tibullus |  |
A Panegyrick to Messala.
Messala
, Thee, I sing, although thy Name,
Thy well-known Merit, and thy spreading Fame
Startle me, lest I feebly should repeat
A Verse inferior to Desert so great;
But tho' unequal to the Theme I raise,
Yet I'll attempt at least to sing thy Praise:
I, the Designer of an humble Verse,
Since none with Justice can thy Praise rehearse,
Unless he had thy Language to express,
And cloth thy mighty Deeds with manly Dress;
A Task superior to my trifling Skill,
Yet take (if the Performance fails) the Will;
Let that suffice, nor thou the Gift refuse,
The humble Tribute of an humble Muse.
Thy well-known Merit, and thy spreading Fame
Startle me, lest I feebly should repeat
A Verse inferior to Desert so great;
But tho' unequal to the Theme I raise,
Yet I'll attempt at least to sing thy Praise:
218
Since none with Justice can thy Praise rehearse,
Unless he had thy Language to express,
And cloth thy mighty Deeds with manly Dress;
A Task superior to my trifling Skill,
Yet take (if the Performance fails) the Will;
Let that suffice, nor thou the Gift refuse,
The humble Tribute of an humble Muse.
Thus
Phœbus kind receiv'd with smiling Chear
The little Gift the Cretan could prefer.
Thus Icarus, by his Cœlestial Guest,
Bacchus, was far prefer'd before the rest,
As those bright Signals in the Heavens declare,
Fair Virgo, and the scorching Syrian Star:
Alcides destin'd for unbounded Pow'r,
Oft visited the poor Molorchus' Bow'r.
The Gods above do not mean Off'rings scorn,
Nor always claim the Ox with gilded Horn;
So may this humble Verse, so small it be,
Come an accepted Off'ring due to thee;
That I encourag'd may, in time repeat
A Verse more worthy, and thy Praise more great.
The little Gift the Cretan could prefer.
Thus Icarus, by his Cœlestial Guest,
Bacchus, was far prefer'd before the rest,
As those bright Signals in the Heavens declare,
Fair Virgo, and the scorching Syrian Star:
Alcides destin'd for unbounded Pow'r,
Oft visited the poor Molorchus' Bow'r.
The Gods above do not mean Off'rings scorn,
Nor always claim the Ox with gilded Horn;
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Come an accepted Off'ring due to thee;
That I encourag'd may, in time repeat
A Verse more worthy, and thy Praise more great.
Others inspir'd with a sublimer Flame,
May sing the vast Creation's wond'rous Frame;
And how the Earth is press'd with Air around,
And how the circling Sea confines the Ground;
And how the fluid Body of the Air
Is mov'd with constant Motion here and there;
And lightly wafting upwards does aspire,
To join the high and pure Æthereal Fire,
And lastly, those different those Bodies lie
Enclos'd with the vast Concave of the Sky.
May sing the vast Creation's wond'rous Frame;
And how the Earth is press'd with Air around,
And how the circling Sea confines the Ground;
And how the fluid Body of the Air
Is mov'd with constant Motion here and there;
And lightly wafting upwards does aspire,
To join the high and pure Æthereal Fire,
And lastly, those different those Bodies lie
Enclos'd with the vast Concave of the Sky.
But, if my Verse can well express thy Praise,
Or (what's a desperate Thought) can higher raise:
Or if it cannot to thy Name be just,
But sinks below thy Worth, as sure it must,
Whatever Thoughts are spread in every Line,
Whate'er I sing, the votive Verse be thine.
Or (what's a desperate Thought) can higher raise:
220
But sinks below thy Worth, as sure it must,
Whatever Thoughts are spread in every Line,
Whate'er I sing, the votive Verse be thine.
You, tho' your Race illustriously are known,
Unsatisfy'd with Honours handed down;
Still follow Glory with a steddy Pace,
And emulate the Greatness of your Race;
Thus all those Merits which your Fathers knew,
Your Sons may see again reviv'd in you.
Unsatisfy'd with Honours handed down;
Still follow Glory with a steddy Pace,
And emulate the Greatness of your Race;
Thus all those Merits which your Fathers knew,
Your Sons may see again reviv'd in you.
Nor shall an empty Title hold thy Fame,
But endless Volumes shall record your Name:
Crowds shall contend to have thy Worth declar'd,
The Orator, Historian, and the Bard:
But may the Task at length on me be laid,
That so my Name may with thy Deeds be read.
But endless Volumes shall record your Name:
Crowds shall contend to have thy Worth declar'd,
The Orator, Historian, and the Bard:
But may the Task at length on me be laid,
That so my Name may with thy Deeds be read.
221
For who can greater Cause for Praises yield
Than you? Or in the Forum or the Field,
With equal Worth you claim a just Renown,
Brac'd in the Helmet, or the peaceful Gown.
The spreading Lawrels lie in equal Scales,
And neither Pendant Hemisphere prevails:
Than you? Or in the Forum or the Field,
With equal Worth you claim a just Renown,
Brac'd in the Helmet, or the peaceful Gown.
The spreading Lawrels lie in equal Scales,
And neither Pendant Hemisphere prevails:
You if the giddy Vulgar rise to Rage,
Appease their Fury, and their Heat asswage.
Nor Pylus, nor could Ithaca contain
So great a Worthy in their boasted Train:
Nor Nestor noted for his vast Renown,
Nor great Ulisses of a little Town;
Tho' One had seen Three hundred Suns go round
Their Annual Courses, and revive the Ground:
The other all the Cities did explore,
Where e'er the farthest Sea includes the Shore.
Appease their Fury, and their Heat asswage.
Nor Pylus, nor could Ithaca contain
So great a Worthy in their boasted Train:
Nor Nestor noted for his vast Renown,
Nor great Ulisses of a little Town;
Tho' One had seen Three hundred Suns go round
Their Annual Courses, and revive the Ground:
The other all the Cities did explore,
Where e'er the farthest Sea includes the Shore.
222
He overcame the Thracians fierce in Arms,
Nor was subdu'd by Lotophagian Charms.
He check'd the one-ey'd Monster's fell Design,
Making him drunk with Maronean Wine.
Æolian Gales he carry'd o'er the Sea,
And to the Lastrygonians took his Way.
Rough Race! o'er whom Antiphates was King,
Where cool Artacia spreads her limpid Spring.
Circe's bewitching Arts by him were known;
Circe! the pow'rful Daughter of the Sun,
Who by her Skill in Magick Simples knew
To change old Nature's Forms to Bodies new:
Then to Cimmerion Caves he took his Way
Where never Phœbus rous'd the lightsome Day,
Whether above the Earth, or underneath the Sea.
He view'd the dark Plutonian Coasts below,
There saw the Demi-gods, and Heroes go,
Mingled among the Spectres too and fro.
Secure his easie Vessel sail'd along,
Unstop'd by the alluring Syren's Song:
Him steering 'twixt the Jaws of Death his Course,
Nor Scylla could afright with rapid Source;
Tho' dreadful and tremendously she raves,
Girt round with barking Dogs beneath the Waves:
Nor could Charybdis, with tempestuous Sea,
Destroy his Vessel in her usual Way:
Nor when to Heaven uprose the Waves profound,
Nor when Dividing they disclos'd the Ground:
Nor shall I pass Great Jove's severe Award,
Declar'd for Phœbus' violated Herd:
Nor how at length he fair Calypso found
Her generous Love, and hospitable Ground:
Nor how Phœacia was the happy Isle
That clos'd his Journey, and reliev'd his Toil.
Nor was subdu'd by Lotophagian Charms.
He check'd the one-ey'd Monster's fell Design,
Making him drunk with Maronean Wine.
Æolian Gales he carry'd o'er the Sea,
And to the Lastrygonians took his Way.
Rough Race! o'er whom Antiphates was King,
Where cool Artacia spreads her limpid Spring.
Circe's bewitching Arts by him were known;
Circe! the pow'rful Daughter of the Sun,
Who by her Skill in Magick Simples knew
To change old Nature's Forms to Bodies new:
Then to Cimmerion Caves he took his Way
Where never Phœbus rous'd the lightsome Day,
Whether above the Earth, or underneath the Sea.
He view'd the dark Plutonian Coasts below,
There saw the Demi-gods, and Heroes go,
Mingled among the Spectres too and fro.
223
Unstop'd by the alluring Syren's Song:
Him steering 'twixt the Jaws of Death his Course,
Nor Scylla could afright with rapid Source;
Tho' dreadful and tremendously she raves,
Girt round with barking Dogs beneath the Waves:
Nor could Charybdis, with tempestuous Sea,
Destroy his Vessel in her usual Way:
Nor when to Heaven uprose the Waves profound,
Nor when Dividing they disclos'd the Ground:
Nor shall I pass Great Jove's severe Award,
Declar'd for Phœbus' violated Herd:
Nor how at length he fair Calypso found
Her generous Love, and hospitable Ground:
Nor how Phœacia was the happy Isle
That clos'd his Journey, and reliev'd his Toil.
Now whether these were in the World we know,
Or Fables, feign them in some World below;
Let him his Labour boast, and hardy Deed,
While you in moving Eloquence exceed.
Or Fables, feign them in some World below;
224
While you in moving Eloquence exceed.
In you the ready Skill of War is found,
How to intrench the Camp, and raise the Ground;
And how against the adverse Host oppose,
Defensive Pallisadoes plac'd in Rows,
And where to lead the Ditch, and Ground inclose.
And e're you pitch the Camp, to choose that Ground
Which does with pure refreshing Springs abound;
Swift through your Troops Communications go,
Which are cut off before they reach the Foe.
You various Sports, and active Games devise
To keep the Troops in Manly Exercise.
How to intrench the Camp, and raise the Ground;
And how against the adverse Host oppose,
Defensive Pallisadoes plac'd in Rows,
And where to lead the Ditch, and Ground inclose.
And e're you pitch the Camp, to choose that Ground
Which does with pure refreshing Springs abound;
Swift through your Troops Communications go,
Which are cut off before they reach the Foe.
You various Sports, and active Games devise
To keep the Troops in Manly Exercise.
What Chief like you can toss the pond'rous Spear?
Or send the flying Arrow through the Air?
Or throw the Jav'lin with an Arm so strong,
To cut the Air, and drive the Clouds along?
Or who direct the fiery Courser's Will?
Or moderate the Rein with greater Skill?
Or ride th' extended Race with swifter Force,
Or wheel the circ'ling Ring, and round repeated Course?
Or who more ready heaves the Shield in Fight?
To guard the Left Side, or secure the Right?
To ward with sure Defence, or here, or there,
And take the Fury of th' invading Spear.
Or send the flying Arrow through the Air?
225
To cut the Air, and drive the Clouds along?
Or who direct the fiery Courser's Will?
Or moderate the Rein with greater Skill?
Or ride th' extended Race with swifter Force,
Or wheel the circ'ling Ring, and round repeated Course?
Or who more ready heaves the Shield in Fight?
To guard the Left Side, or secure the Right?
To ward with sure Defence, or here, or there,
And take the Fury of th' invading Spear.
In Time, when raging Mars with Fury glows,
When Ensigns, Ensigns face, and Spears do Spears oppose,
Then you in meet Array the Squadrons place,
And fix the Battle with a threat'ning Face,
Whether you join them in a solid Square,
That equal Sides compact, the Foes may dare;
Or into other Forms the Battle fling,
And lead the Souldiers to a spreading Wing;
That either may a mutual Aid dispence,
And guard each other with a joint Defence.
When Ensigns, Ensigns face, and Spears do Spears oppose,
Then you in meet Array the Squadrons place,
And fix the Battle with a threat'ning Face,
Whether you join them in a solid Square,
That equal Sides compact, the Foes may dare;
Or into other Forms the Battle fling,
And lead the Souldiers to a spreading Wing;
226
And guard each other with a joint Defence.
But let me not uncertain Trophies raise,
For Wars I sing, and Wars shall firm thy Praise:
Witness th' Illyrians taught the Roman Sway,
The base Pannonian Rebels to obey:
And Arupinum taken, which did yield,
One born to Arms, and constant in the Field:
Poor and unknown, him whosoe'er had seen,
Unbroke with Age, and ev'n in Winter green.
With Less Surprise would hear the Story told
Of Rev'rend Nestor's Fame, three Cent'ries old;
For tho' since first he had receiv'd his Birth,
A hundred Annual Suns had warm'd the Earth;
He springing in the Saddle press'd the Horse,
And fix'd, he sat him in the swiftest Course:
An able Vet'ran for the dusty Plains,
And a just Moderator of the Reins.
Subdu'd by Thee, when all their Pow'r was vain,
They bent their Necks beneath the Roman Chain.
For Wars I sing, and Wars shall firm thy Praise:
Witness th' Illyrians taught the Roman Sway,
The base Pannonian Rebels to obey:
And Arupinum taken, which did yield,
One born to Arms, and constant in the Field:
Poor and unknown, him whosoe'er had seen,
Unbroke with Age, and ev'n in Winter green.
With Less Surprise would hear the Story told
Of Rev'rend Nestor's Fame, three Cent'ries old;
For tho' since first he had receiv'd his Birth,
A hundred Annual Suns had warm'd the Earth;
He springing in the Saddle press'd the Horse,
And fix'd, he sat him in the swiftest Course:
An able Vet'ran for the dusty Plains,
And a just Moderator of the Reins.
227
They bent their Necks beneath the Roman Chain.
But these shall not suffice to speak thy Praise,
Actions to come shall greater Honours raise;
For I, have more surprizing Things in View,
From Omens sure as e'er Melampus knew.
For on that Day when you sublimely Great,
Was cloth'd in Purple, and enrob'd in State;
The Sun above the Ocean rais'd his Head,
And o'er the Earth uncommon Lustre spread:
The Seas with swelling Billows rise no more,
But roll'd their silent Waters to the Shore;
The struggling Winds their noisy Discord cease,
And every whisp'ring Gale lay hush'd in Peace.
No Bird did through the Air his Journey steer,
Or shook his whistling Pinions in the Air:
No Savage Beasts were Grazing in the Shade;
But all stood silent at the Vows you made.
Jove in his Chariot wafted through the Air,
Left his Olympus to receive thy Pray'r;
And seem'd intent to bend a list'ning Ear.
Th' assenting Pow'r to every Word you said,
Gave the Majestick Nod, and wav'd his Head:
Sudden the shining Altars seem'd more bright,
And shooting Flames diffus'd a greater Light.
Actions to come shall greater Honours raise;
For I, have more surprizing Things in View,
From Omens sure as e'er Melampus knew.
For on that Day when you sublimely Great,
Was cloth'd in Purple, and enrob'd in State;
The Sun above the Ocean rais'd his Head,
And o'er the Earth uncommon Lustre spread:
The Seas with swelling Billows rise no more,
But roll'd their silent Waters to the Shore;
The struggling Winds their noisy Discord cease,
And every whisp'ring Gale lay hush'd in Peace.
No Bird did through the Air his Journey steer,
Or shook his whistling Pinions in the Air:
No Savage Beasts were Grazing in the Shade;
But all stood silent at the Vows you made.
228
Left his Olympus to receive thy Pray'r;
And seem'd intent to bend a list'ning Ear.
Th' assenting Pow'r to every Word you said,
Gave the Majestick Nod, and wav'd his Head:
Sudden the shining Altars seem'd more bright,
And shooting Flames diffus'd a greater Light.
The Gods approve! begin the mighty Deed.
For thee uncommon Triumphs are decreed.
Not Neighbouring Gallia shall confine thy Course,
Nor vast Hispania with its savage Force;
Nor wealthy Confines which the Tyrians sow,
Nor where the Nile and great Choaspes flow:
Nor where swift Gyndes does the Land divide,
The lasting Proof of Cyrus' foolish Pride:
Nor where the Waters through their sulph'rous Veins,
Diffuse the Heat to Arectæan Plains:
Nor that vast Land where Thomyris bore Sway,
And swift Araxes rolls his rapid Way:
Nor vile Padæans at the furthest East,
Who load their Tables with a hateful Feast:
Nor where the Hebrus spreads his Golden Sand,
Nor where the Tanais laves the Scythian Land.
For thee uncommon Triumphs are decreed.
Not Neighbouring Gallia shall confine thy Course,
Nor vast Hispania with its savage Force;
Nor wealthy Confines which the Tyrians sow,
Nor where the Nile and great Choaspes flow:
Nor where swift Gyndes does the Land divide,
The lasting Proof of Cyrus' foolish Pride:
Nor where the Waters through their sulph'rous Veins,
Diffuse the Heat to Arectæan Plains:
Nor that vast Land where Thomyris bore Sway,
And swift Araxes rolls his rapid Way:
229
Who load their Tables with a hateful Feast:
Nor where the Hebrus spreads his Golden Sand,
Nor where the Tanais laves the Scythian Land.
But why should I insist on these alone,
When thy vast Conquest the whole World shall own:
For thee Remains the distant British Shore,
Unbent by Roman Pow'r, a Conquest yet in Store;
For thee remains, the farthest torrid Zone,
Regions remote, and Countries yet unknown.
When thy vast Conquest the whole World shall own:
For thee Remains the distant British Shore,
Unbent by Roman Pow'r, a Conquest yet in Store;
For thee remains, the farthest torrid Zone,
Regions remote, and Countries yet unknown.
For Air does this terraqueous Globe surround,
And five Divisions in the Orb are found;
Two Parts whereof in chilly Regions lie
Perpetual Frosts, and an inclement Sky.
The Earth is there with Darkness wrap'd around,
And sullen Night sits brooding o'er the Ground:
No living Waters there the Earth divide,
Nor cheerful Streams in pleasant Wand'rings glide;
But everlasting Ice the Floods constrains,
And Drifts of Snow o'erspread the dreary Plains;
There never did the Sun diffuse a Ray,
Or give the cheerful Promise of a Day.
And five Divisions in the Orb are found;
Two Parts whereof in chilly Regions lie
Perpetual Frosts, and an inclement Sky.
The Earth is there with Darkness wrap'd around,
And sullen Night sits brooding o'er the Ground:
230
Nor cheerful Streams in pleasant Wand'rings glide;
But everlasting Ice the Floods constrains,
And Drifts of Snow o'erspread the dreary Plains;
There never did the Sun diffuse a Ray,
Or give the cheerful Promise of a Day.
The Middle Regions feel the scorching Sun,
Whether he nearer brings our Summer on:
Or when he does a swifter Course display,
And wheels in Circles short the Wint'ry Day:
Therefore the Plough is never there in Use,
No Corn the Fields, nor Herbs the Lands produce;
No God indulgent makes the Fields his Care,
Bacchus and Ceres never visit there.
No Cattle there can graze the smoaking Ground;
There nothing that possesses Life is Found.
Whether he nearer brings our Summer on:
Or when he does a swifter Course display,
And wheels in Circles short the Wint'ry Day:
Therefore the Plough is never there in Use,
No Corn the Fields, nor Herbs the Lands produce;
No God indulgent makes the Fields his Care,
Bacchus and Ceres never visit there.
No Cattle there can graze the smoaking Ground;
There nothing that possesses Life is Found.
Between this freezing Cold, and scorching Heat,
Our temperate Zone is plac'd a happy Seat:
To this oppos'd, a fellow Climate lies,
The same Meridian holds, and temp'rate Skies.
Here first the stubborn Steer to toil was broke,
And Oxen bent their Neck beneath the Yoke.
Here Vines were taught their flexile Shoots to ease,
And hang their Clusters on the neighbouring Trees,
And Annual Harvest gave a large Increase.
Here first the Earth receiv'd the vexing Plough,
And first the Sea was rais'd with brazen Prow:
Then by degrees at distance Cities rise,
And swelling Walls and Tow'rs divide the Skies:
Our temperate Zone is plac'd a happy Seat:
231
The same Meridian holds, and temp'rate Skies.
Here first the stubborn Steer to toil was broke,
And Oxen bent their Neck beneath the Yoke.
Here Vines were taught their flexile Shoots to ease,
And hang their Clusters on the neighbouring Trees,
And Annual Harvest gave a large Increase.
Here first the Earth receiv'd the vexing Plough,
And first the Sea was rais'd with brazen Prow:
Then by degrees at distance Cities rise,
And swelling Walls and Tow'rs divide the Skies:
Therefore where e'er by Fame thy Acts are hurl'd,
They shall be known by all in either World.
For me, I cannot so much Praise rehearse,
Tho' Phœbus should himself inspire my Verse.
But Valgius, he can swell a Warrior's Name;
Valgius next Homer in eternal Fame.
The Works will not my Leasure Hours decay,
Tho' Fortune vexes me, as is her way.
They shall be known by all in either World.
For me, I cannot so much Praise rehearse,
Tho' Phœbus should himself inspire my Verse.
But Valgius, he can swell a Warrior's Name;
Valgius next Homer in eternal Fame.
232
Tho' Fortune vexes me, as is her way.
For I could once command a stately Seat,
Splendedly wealthy, and sublimely great:
And yellow Harvests waving o'er the Plain,
Seem'd to o'ercrowd my Fields with Golden Grain.
When my unnumber'd Flock of Flocks were fled,
And o'er the Hills in crowded Herds were spread:
Sufficient for their Lord my Lambs did stray,
And too, too many for the Beasts of Prey;
But now of every pleasing View bereft,
Reflection on their Loss is all I've left.
Fresh Grief I feel, and still repeated Cares,
Oft as I cast my Eye on former Years.
Splendedly wealthy, and sublimely great:
And yellow Harvests waving o'er the Plain,
Seem'd to o'ercrowd my Fields with Golden Grain.
When my unnumber'd Flock of Flocks were fled,
And o'er the Hills in crowded Herds were spread:
Sufficient for their Lord my Lambs did stray,
And too, too many for the Beasts of Prey;
But now of every pleasing View bereft,
Reflection on their Loss is all I've left.
Fresh Grief I feel, and still repeated Cares,
Oft as I cast my Eye on former Years.
But tho' the Fates with more severe Decrees,
Shall fix a Train of Heavier Woes than these:
Yet still unwearied with my Misery,
The Muse shall never fail to sing of thee.
Shall fix a Train of Heavier Woes than these:
Yet still unwearied with my Misery,
The Muse shall never fail to sing of thee.
233
Nor will the Muse alone suffice to prove
How much I prize my Friend, how much I love.
For thee! I'd run the Hazard of the Sea,
And tempt the roughest of the Waves for thee.
For thee! I singly could whole Troops oppose,
Or throw my self, where flaming Ætna glows.
How much I prize my Friend, how much I love.
For thee! I'd run the Hazard of the Sea,
And tempt the roughest of the Waves for thee.
For thee! I singly could whole Troops oppose,
Or throw my self, where flaming Ætna glows.
And while I think you but regard my Name,
I neither wish the Lydian Realms to claim,
Nor the vast Honours of Gylippus' Fame:
Nor would I ask Apollo to inspire
My Muse with Homer's Strength and lasting Fire;
If but this humble Verse can pleasing be,
No Time shall stop my Tongue from praising thee.
I neither wish the Lydian Realms to claim,
Nor the vast Honours of Gylippus' Fame:
Nor would I ask Apollo to inspire
My Muse with Homer's Strength and lasting Fire;
If but this humble Verse can pleasing be,
No Time shall stop my Tongue from praising thee.
And when I've suffer'd Fate's unalter'd Doom,
Clos'd in the gloomy Mansion of a Tomb.
If Death in Time shall make his forceful Rape,
Or I survive, tho' in a different Shape:
If as a Horse I beat the dusty Plain,
Or in a Bull's Majestick Form remain;
Or if I as a Feather'd Fowl appear,
And beat with flutt'ring Wings the Fluid Air,
Or in a Humane Form increase my Days,
I'll always fill whole Volumes with thy Praise.
Clos'd in the gloomy Mansion of a Tomb.
If Death in Time shall make his forceful Rape,
Or I survive, tho' in a different Shape:
234
Or in a Bull's Majestick Form remain;
Or if I as a Feather'd Fowl appear,
And beat with flutt'ring Wings the Fluid Air,
Or in a Humane Form increase my Days,
I'll always fill whole Volumes with thy Praise.
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