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 |  |
To Phoebus. IV.
Hither attend, and by thy healing Aid,
For rough Disease relieve my tender Maid;
Hither attend with thy propitious Care
Illustrious Phœbus with the flowing Hair:
Auspicious Power! at my Request draw nigh,
Nor scorn, with thy own Hands, the Med'cines to apply.
Take heed no hateful palid Hue be spread
O'er her pure Skin, or her fair Limbs invade;
And all she undergoes, and all we fear,
Throw in the Floods, or scatter in the Air:
Hither thou sacred Pow'r, and bring the Juice
Of Herbs, and all the Magick Songs you use,
Which raise the Spirits when with Pain oppress'd,
Support the Weak, and give the Wakeful Rest.
I beg you not to rack the tim'rous Boy,
Who does innumerable Vows employ
To ease his much-lov'd Maid, now Pray'rs are giv'n,
And now he blames the Gods, and rails at Heaven.
For rough Disease relieve my tender Maid;
Hither attend with thy propitious Care
Illustrious Phœbus with the flowing Hair:
Auspicious Power! at my Request draw nigh,
Nor scorn, with thy own Hands, the Med'cines to apply.
Take heed no hateful palid Hue be spread
O'er her pure Skin, or her fair Limbs invade;
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Throw in the Floods, or scatter in the Air:
Hither thou sacred Pow'r, and bring the Juice
Of Herbs, and all the Magick Songs you use,
Which raise the Spirits when with Pain oppress'd,
Support the Weak, and give the Wakeful Rest.
I beg you not to rack the tim'rous Boy,
Who does innumerable Vows employ
To ease his much-lov'd Maid, now Pray'rs are giv'n,
And now he blames the Gods, and rails at Heaven.
Cease my Cerinthus, and thy Fears remove,
The God will never injure those that love:
Do thou forever love, dismiss thy Fears,
Thy Maid's secure, then spare these falling Tears;
Those Tears reserve, and never let 'em flow
Till she forgets her Faith, and breaks her Vow.
But now the lovely Fair is all thy own,
Her Thoughts and Wishes tend to thee alone;
While all her Suiters, a deluded Train,
Wait at her Door, and supplicate in vain.
The God will never injure those that love:
Do thou forever love, dismiss thy Fears,
Thy Maid's secure, then spare these falling Tears;
Those Tears reserve, and never let 'em flow
Till she forgets her Faith, and breaks her Vow.
But now the lovely Fair is all thy own,
Her Thoughts and Wishes tend to thee alone;
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Wait at her Door, and supplicate in vain.
Phœbus be kind! what Praises will be due!
When you by healing One have succour'd Two!
Then thou well pleas'd when we invoke thy Name,
Shalt hear us loudly celebrate thy Fame,
And both appearing at thy hallow'd Shrine,
Return the Dues we owe, and offer Rites Divine;
Then all the Chorus of the Gods shall fill
Heav'n with thy Praise, and wish thy healing Skill.
When you by healing One have succour'd Two!
Then thou well pleas'd when we invoke thy Name,
Shalt hear us loudly celebrate thy Fame,
And both appearing at thy hallow'd Shrine,
Return the Dues we owe, and offer Rites Divine;
Then all the Chorus of the Gods shall fill
Heav'n with thy Praise, and wish thy healing Skill.
| The Works of Tibullus | |