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 |
 | I. |
|
 |
Hero.
|
| II. |
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Hero.
See General. Warrior.
But, by the Head entire, o'ertopping All,
Turnus himself with beauteous Form appears,
High in the Van, and graceful shines in Arms.
His crested Helmet with a triple Plume
Tow'ring, sustains Chimæra, from her Jaws
Breathing Ætnean Fires; the more the Fight
Kindles in Rage, and rolls with Tides of Blood:
The more she storms, and burns with baleful Flames.
With Horns erected, Io cast in Gold
(Illustrious Argument!) his Buckler grac'd,
An Heifer now, and all with Hair o'ergrown:
Argus her Watch: and Inachus her Sire,
Pouring his River from his graven Urn.—
Turnus himself with beauteous Form appears,
High in the Van, and graceful shines in Arms.
His crested Helmet with a triple Plume
Tow'ring, sustains Chimæra, from her Jaws
Breathing Ætnean Fires; the more the Fight
Kindles in Rage, and rolls with Tides of Blood:
The more she storms, and burns with baleful Flames.
491
(Illustrious Argument!) his Buckler grac'd,
An Heifer now, and all with Hair o'ergrown:
Argus her Watch: and Inachus her Sire,
Pouring his River from his graven Urn.—
Next, Aventinus drives his Chariot round
The Latian Plains, with Palms and Lawrels crown'd.
Proud of his Steeds, he smokes along the Field:
His Father's Hydra fills the ample Shield:
A hundred Serpents hiss about the Brims:
The Son of Hercules he justly seems,
By his broad Shoulders and gigantic Limbs.
For Arms his Men long Piles and Jav'lins bore,
And Poles with pointed Steel their Foes in Battle gore.
Himself on Foot, in savage Pomp appears,
A Lion's Hide he like his Father wears:
About his Shoulders hangs the shaggy Skin,
The Teeth, and gaping Jaws severely grin.
All rough, and with Herculean Terror drest,
He strides into the Hall, a horrid Guest.—
The Latian Plains, with Palms and Lawrels crown'd.
Proud of his Steeds, he smokes along the Field:
His Father's Hydra fills the ample Shield:
A hundred Serpents hiss about the Brims:
The Son of Hercules he justly seems,
By his broad Shoulders and gigantic Limbs.
For Arms his Men long Piles and Jav'lins bore,
And Poles with pointed Steel their Foes in Battle gore.
Himself on Foot, in savage Pomp appears,
A Lion's Hide he like his Father wears:
About his Shoulders hangs the shaggy Skin,
The Teeth, and gaping Jaws severely grin.
All rough, and with Herculean Terror drest,
He strides into the Hall, a horrid Guest.—
Pallas himself advances in the Midst,
Conspicuous in his Cloak, and painted Arms:
As when the Star by Venus most belov'd,
Bright Lucifer, just wash'd in Ocean's Waves,
Upraises in the Sky his sacred Head,
And dissipates the Shades.—
Conspicuous in his Cloak, and painted Arms:
As when the Star by Venus most belov'd,
Bright Lucifer, just wash'd in Ocean's Waves,
Upraises in the Sky his sacred Head,
And dissipates the Shades.—
The
Senior rises: with his homely Coat
His Body cloaths; and fastens to his Feet
The Tyrrhene Sandals: then th' Arcadian Sword
Girds to his Side, and Shoulders: on the Left
A Panther's Hide retorts: two trusty Dogs,
From the high Gate, attend their Master's Steps.—
His Body cloaths; and fastens to his Feet
The Tyrrhene Sandals: then th' Arcadian Sword
Girds to his Side, and Shoulders: on the Left
A Panther's Hide retorts: two trusty Dogs,
From the high Gate, attend their Master's Steps.—
Forthwith new Fire burns sparkling in his Eyes:
With dreadful Clank his shining Armour rings:
High on his Crest the bloody-colour'd Plumes
Tremble: and Lightning flashes from his Shield.—
With dreadful Clank his shining Armour rings:
High on his Crest the bloody-colour'd Plumes
Tremble: and Lightning flashes from his Shield.—
493
Now Turnus, raging, arms him for the Fight;
In his Rutulian Corslet clad, and rough
With brazen Scales; he sheaths his Legs in Gold,
His Head yet bare: then buckles to his Side
His faithful Sword: from the high Fort runs down,
And shines all o'er in Gold: with martial Pride
Exulting, and in Hope prevents the Foe.—
In his Rutulian Corslet clad, and rough
With brazen Scales; he sheaths his Legs in Gold,
His Head yet bare: then buckles to his Side
His faithful Sword: from the high Fort runs down,
And shines all o'er in Gold: with martial Pride
Exulting, and in Hope prevents the Foe.—
Young Ornitus bestrode a Hunter Steed,
Swift for the Chace, and of Apulian Breed:
He at a Distance rode, in Arms unknown,
O'er his broad Back an Ox's Hide was thrown,
His Helm a Wolf's, whose gaping Jaws were spread
A Cov'ring for his Cheeks, and grinn'd around his Head.
He clench'd within his Hand an iron Prong,
And tow'r'd above the rest, conspicuous in the Throng.—
Swift for the Chace, and of Apulian Breed:
He at a Distance rode, in Arms unknown,
O'er his broad Back an Ox's Hide was thrown,
His Helm a Wolf's, whose gaping Jaws were spread
A Cov'ring for his Cheeks, and grinn'd around his Head.
He clench'd within his Hand an iron Prong,
And tow'r'd above the rest, conspicuous in the Throng.—
Sacred to Cybele, and once her Priest,
Chloreus, by Chance, all bright in Phrygian Arms,
At Distance shone, and spurr'd his foaming Steed:
The Steed rich Trappings cloth'd, compact with Scales
Of Brass, and Gold, like Feathers wrought: Himself
Gaudy in Purple, and Barbaric Dye,
Shot Lycian Arrows from a Cretan Bow.
The sounding Bow which from his Shoulders hung,
Glitter'd with Gold: and golden was the Helm
That deck'd his priestly Head: His saffron Cloak,
And linnen Folds, which rattled, as he mov'd,
With yellow Gold He in a Knot confin'd.
With Needle Work embroider'd were his Robes,
And Asian Cuisses, that his Thighs enclos'd.—
Chloreus, by Chance, all bright in Phrygian Arms,
At Distance shone, and spurr'd his foaming Steed:
The Steed rich Trappings cloth'd, compact with Scales
Of Brass, and Gold, like Feathers wrought: Himself
Gaudy in Purple, and Barbaric Dye,
Shot Lycian Arrows from a Cretan Bow.
The sounding Bow which from his Shoulders hung,
Glitter'd with Gold: and golden was the Helm
That deck'd his priestly Head: His saffron Cloak,
And linnen Folds, which rattled, as he mov'd,
With yellow Gold He in a Knot confin'd.
With Needle Work embroider'd were his Robes,
And Asian Cuisses, that his Thighs enclos'd.—
A Lion's Hide around his Loins he wore:
A well pois'd Jav'lin to the Field he bore
Headed with glitt'ring Steel; a pointed Dart,
And the best Weapon, an undaunted Heart.—
A well pois'd Jav'lin to the Field he bore
Headed with glitt'ring Steel; a pointed Dart,
And the best Weapon, an undaunted Heart.—
Achilles in his Car had scour'd the Plain,
And clear'd the Trojan Ranks.—
His white-main'd Steeds, that bow'd beneath the Yoke,
He chear'd to Courage, with a gentle Stroke:
Then urg'd his fiery Chariot on the Foe,
And shook his quiv'ring Lance, in act to throw.—
And clear'd the Trojan Ranks.—
His white-main'd Steeds, that bow'd beneath the Yoke,
He chear'd to Courage, with a gentle Stroke:
Then urg'd his fiery Chariot on the Foe,
And shook his quiv'ring Lance, in act to throw.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |