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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Hospitality.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Hospitality.
See Banquet. Munificence.
Here
Jove with Hermes came: but in Disguise
Of mortal Men conceal'd their Deities:
One laid aside his Thunder, one his Rod,
And many toilsom Steps together trod.
For Harbour at a thousand Doors they knock'd:
Not one of all the thousand but was lock'd.
At last an hospitable Cot they found,
Whose humble Roof, not far above the Ground,
Was thatch'd with Weeds and Straw together bound.
There Baucis and Philemon liv'd, and there,
Of equal Years, grown old together, were.
Of mortal Men conceal'd their Deities:
One laid aside his Thunder, one his Rod,
And many toilsom Steps together trod.
For Harbour at a thousand Doors they knock'd:
Not one of all the thousand but was lock'd.
At last an hospitable Cot they found,
Whose humble Roof, not far above the Ground,
Was thatch'd with Weeds and Straw together bound.
There Baucis and Philemon liv'd, and there,
Of equal Years, grown old together, were.
501
From lofty Roofs the Gods repuls'd before,
Now, stooping, enter'd thro' the little Door:
The Man (their hearty Welcome first express'd,)
A common Settle drew for either Guest,
Inviting each his weary Limbs to rest.
But e'er they sat, officious Baucis lays
Two Cushions stuft with Straw, the Seat to raise:
Coarse, but the best she had: then rakes the Load
Of Ashes from the Hearth, and spreads abroad
The living Coals; and, lest they should expire,
With Leaves, and Bark, she feeds the feeble Fire:
It smoaks: she puffs it with her trembling Breath,
Till in a chearful Blaze the Flames burst forth:
Brushwood, and Chips she adds, to strengthen these,
And over all some Boughs of rotten Trees.
Now, stooping, enter'd thro' the little Door:
The Man (their hearty Welcome first express'd,)
A common Settle drew for either Guest,
Inviting each his weary Limbs to rest.
But e'er they sat, officious Baucis lays
Two Cushions stuft with Straw, the Seat to raise:
Coarse, but the best she had: then rakes the Load
Of Ashes from the Hearth, and spreads abroad
The living Coals; and, lest they should expire,
With Leaves, and Bark, she feeds the feeble Fire:
It smoaks: she puffs it with her trembling Breath,
Till in a chearful Blaze the Flames burst forth:
Brushwood, and Chips she adds, to strengthen these,
And over all some Boughs of rotten Trees.
The Fire thus form'd, she hangs her little Pot:
Then picks, and cuts the Sprouts, her Husband got
From his own Ground, a small well water'd Spot.
High o'er the Hearth a Chine of Bacon hung:
Good old Philemon seiz'd it with a Prong:
And from the sooty Raftor drew it down,
Then cut a Slice: but scarce enough for one.
This in the smoking Pot was plung'd to boil,
While they with pleasing Chat the Time beguile.
Then picks, and cuts the Sprouts, her Husband got
From his own Ground, a small well water'd Spot.
High o'er the Hearth a Chine of Bacon hung:
Good old Philemon seiz'd it with a Prong:
And from the sooty Raftor drew it down,
Then cut a Slice: but scarce enough for one.
This in the smoking Pot was plung'd to boil,
While they with pleasing Chat the Time beguile.
A Beam there was, on which a beechen Pail
Hung by the Handle, on a driven Nail:
This, fill'd with Water gently warm'd, they set
Before their Guests: in this they bath'd their Feet.
A Mattress stuff'd with Moss lay on the Bed;
Sallow the Feet, the Borders, and the Sted;
And of a Piece the homely Coverlid:
The Cloaths were old and coarse: yet such as these
They us'd alone, at Feasts, on Holidays.
Hung by the Handle, on a driven Nail:
This, fill'd with Water gently warm'd, they set
Before their Guests: in this they bath'd their Feet.
A Mattress stuff'd with Moss lay on the Bed;
Sallow the Feet, the Borders, and the Sted;
And of a Piece the homely Coverlid:
The Cloaths were old and coarse: yet such as these
They us'd alone, at Feasts, on Holidays.
The palsy'd Housewife, tucking up her Gown,
The Table sets: th' invited Gods lye down.
The Trivet Table of a Foot was lame,
A Blot which prudent Baucis overcame:
Thrusting beneath the limping Leg a Shred,
The tott'ring Board she on a Level rear'd:
Then rubb'd it o'er with newly gather'd Mint,
A wholsome Herb, that breath'd a grateful Scent.
First on the Board, Minerva's Gift, were seen
The party-colour'd Olives, black, and green:
Autumnal Cornels next, in order serv'd,
In Lees of Wine well pickled, and preserv'd:
Endive, and Radishes, Eggs roasted rare,
And Cheese-Curd newly press'd:—all plac'd on earthen Ware.
A Pitcher of the same, with Figures wrought,
And beechen Bowls, were to the Side-board brought,
Varnish'd with Wax they were, and lin'd within.—
The Table sets: th' invited Gods lye down.
The Trivet Table of a Foot was lame,
A Blot which prudent Baucis overcame:
503
The tott'ring Board she on a Level rear'd:
Then rubb'd it o'er with newly gather'd Mint,
A wholsome Herb, that breath'd a grateful Scent.
First on the Board, Minerva's Gift, were seen
The party-colour'd Olives, black, and green:
Autumnal Cornels next, in order serv'd,
In Lees of Wine well pickled, and preserv'd:
Endive, and Radishes, Eggs roasted rare,
And Cheese-Curd newly press'd:—all plac'd on earthen Ware.
A Pitcher of the same, with Figures wrought,
And beechen Bowls, were to the Side-board brought,
Varnish'd with Wax they were, and lin'd within.—
And now the smoking Mess was serv'd to Board,
And with new Wine again the Pitcher stor'd:
Then came the second Course, like that before,
Plumbs, Apples, Nuts, and of their Winter Store
Dry Figs, and Grapes, and wrinkled Dates were set
In Canisters, t' enlarge the little Treat:
All these a milk white Honey-comb surround,
Which, in the midst, the rural Banquet crown'd.
But the kind Hosts their Entertainment grace,
With hearty Welcome, and an open Face:
In all they did, you might discern with Ease,
Sincere Good-will, and a Desire to please.
And with new Wine again the Pitcher stor'd:
Then came the second Course, like that before,
Plumbs, Apples, Nuts, and of their Winter Store
Dry Figs, and Grapes, and wrinkled Dates were set
In Canisters, t' enlarge the little Treat:
All these a milk white Honey-comb surround,
Which, in the midst, the rural Banquet crown'd.
But the kind Hosts their Entertainment grace,
With hearty Welcome, and an open Face:
In all they did, you might discern with Ease,
Sincere Good-will, and a Desire to please.
Mean time the beechen Bowls went round, and still,
Tho' often empty'd, were observ'd to fill:
Devotion seiz'd the Pair, to see the Feast
With Wine, and of no common Grape, increas'd:
And up they held their Hands, and fell to Pray'r,
Excusing, as they could, their homely Fare.
One single Goose the pious Pair had got,
And 'twas the Guardian of their little Cot:
This to the Gods they vow'd a Sacrifice,
And strove to catch; but swift away it flies,
And dodges long, (for their old Age too fast,)
Then of the Gods Protection seeks at last.
Its Death the Gods forbid: and thus declare;—
You're not mistaken, Gods indeed we are.
The wicked Race around shall quickly feel
Due Punishment: be you secure from Ill;
Your Cottage quit, and follow where we lead,
And haste away to yonder Mountain's Head,
The good old Pair obey:—Slow Steps each takes,
Prop'd on their Staves. But when the hilly Height
They'd almost gain'd, within an Arrow's Flight,
Back to the Place they left they turn their Eyes;
Lost in a Lake the floated Level lies:
A watry Desart covers all the Plains,
Their Cot alone, as in an Isle, remains.
Tho' often empty'd, were observ'd to fill:
Devotion seiz'd the Pair, to see the Feast
With Wine, and of no common Grape, increas'd:
And up they held their Hands, and fell to Pray'r,
Excusing, as they could, their homely Fare.
One single Goose the pious Pair had got,
And 'twas the Guardian of their little Cot:
This to the Gods they vow'd a Sacrifice,
And strove to catch; but swift away it flies,
And dodges long, (for their old Age too fast,)
Then of the Gods Protection seeks at last.
Its Death the Gods forbid: and thus declare;—
You're not mistaken, Gods indeed we are.
505
Due Punishment: be you secure from Ill;
Your Cottage quit, and follow where we lead,
And haste away to yonder Mountain's Head,
The good old Pair obey:—Slow Steps each takes,
Prop'd on their Staves. But when the hilly Height
They'd almost gain'd, within an Arrow's Flight,
Back to the Place they left they turn their Eyes;
Lost in a Lake the floated Level lies:
A watry Desart covers all the Plains,
Their Cot alone, as in an Isle, remains.
Wondring, with weeping Eyes, while they deplore
Their Neighbours Fate, and Country now no more:
Their little Shed, scarce large enough for two,
Seems, from the Ground increas'd, in Height and Bulk to grow.
A stately Temple shoots within the Skies:
The Crotchets of their Cot in Columns rise:
The Pavement polish'd Marble they behold:
The Gates with Sculpture grac'd, the Spires and Tiles of Gold.
Then thus the Sire of Gods, with Looks serene.
Speak thy Desire, Thou only just of Men:
And Thou, O Woman, only worthy found
To be with such a Man in Marriage bound.
Their Neighbours Fate, and Country now no more:
Their little Shed, scarce large enough for two,
Seems, from the Ground increas'd, in Height and Bulk to grow.
A stately Temple shoots within the Skies:
The Crotchets of their Cot in Columns rise:
The Pavement polish'd Marble they behold:
The Gates with Sculpture grac'd, the Spires and Tiles of Gold.
Then thus the Sire of Gods, with Looks serene.
Speak thy Desire, Thou only just of Men:
And Thou, O Woman, only worthy found
To be with such a Man in Marriage bound.
Awhile they whisper: then, to Jove address'd,
Philemon thus prefers their joint Request:
We crave to serve before your sacred Shrine,
And offer at your Altars Rites divine:
And since not any Action of our Life,
Has been polluted with domestick Strife,
We beg one Hour of Death: that neither She
With Widow's Tears may live to bury me,
Nor weeping, I with widow'd Arms may bear,
My breathless Baucis to her Sepulcher.
The Gods confirm their Suit.—
Philemon thus prefers their joint Request:
We crave to serve before your sacred Shrine,
And offer at your Altars Rites divine:
And since not any Action of our Life,
Has been polluted with domestick Strife,
We beg one Hour of Death: that neither She
With Widow's Tears may live to bury me,
Nor weeping, I with widow'd Arms may bear,
My breathless Baucis to her Sepulcher.
The Gods confirm their Suit.—
—Come on then, gallant Guests,
Enter my Palace.—
Acquainted with Misfortune, I have learn'd
To pity and to succour the Distress'd.
This said, she leads Æneas to her Court,
And to the Gods a Festival proclaims.
Mean-while to all the Crew, on board his Ships
Which lay in Harbour, twenty Bulls she sends:
An hundred bristly Boars with spacious Chines:
An hundred fatted Lambs, with Ewes: and Wine,
Gift of the jolly God.
But with proud Pomp the inner Rooms of State
Are splendidly adorn'd: and Feasts prepar'd
In the mid-Court: the purple Carpets wrought
With Art: the Tables groan with massy Plate,
And brave Exploits of warlike Ancestors
Emboss'd in Gold.—
Enter my Palace.—
Acquainted with Misfortune, I have learn'd
507
This said, she leads Æneas to her Court,
And to the Gods a Festival proclaims.
Mean-while to all the Crew, on board his Ships
Which lay in Harbour, twenty Bulls she sends:
An hundred bristly Boars with spacious Chines:
An hundred fatted Lambs, with Ewes: and Wine,
Gift of the jolly God.
But with proud Pomp the inner Rooms of State
Are splendidly adorn'd: and Feasts prepar'd
In the mid-Court: the purple Carpets wrought
With Art: the Tables groan with massy Plate,
And brave Exploits of warlike Ancestors
Emboss'd in Gold.—
—Uponm the golden Couch,
Sumptuous with Tapestry, the Queen had plac'd
Herself, and in the Middle chose her Seat.
Sumptuous with Tapestry, the Queen had plac'd
Herself, and in the Middle chose her Seat.
Now Prince Æneas, and the Trojan Youth,
Advance; and feast, on crimson Beds repos'd.
Th' Attendants wait with Water for the Hands,
Distribute Bread from Canisters, and hold
Soft Towels. Fifty Handmaids wait within,
Dispose the Banquet in long Order rang'd,
And burn rich Incense to the Houshold Gods.
An hundred Maids besides, as many Youths,
Of equal Age, attend: who pile the Boards
With Dishes, and the Cups and Goblets place.
Nor less the Tyrians crowd the joyful Court,
Invited on embroider'd Beds to feast.
Advance; and feast, on crimson Beds repos'd.
Th' Attendants wait with Water for the Hands,
Distribute Bread from Canisters, and hold
Soft Towels. Fifty Handmaids wait within,
Dispose the Banquet in long Order rang'd,
And burn rich Incense to the Houshold Gods.
An hundred Maids besides, as many Youths,
Of equal Age, attend: who pile the Boards
With Dishes, and the Cups and Goblets place.
Nor less the Tyrians crowd the joyful Court,
Invited on embroider'd Beds to feast.
The Banquet pausing, and the Meat remov'd,
Large massy Bowls they place, and crown the Wine.
Loud Noise succeeds: and thro' the ample Courts
They roll the Sound: in Sconces Tapers hang
Lighted from gilded Roofs: and Night retires,
O'erpower'd with blazing Flambeaus.—Here the Queen
Calls for a Goblet, rough with Gems, and Gold,
(Which Belus us'd, and all the Kings from him,)
And fills it up with Wine: then thro' the Court
Silence commands.—O Jove! (for Thou art said
To fix the Laws of Hospitality,)
Grant that this Day auspicious may be prov'd
To both the Colonies of Tyre and Troy,
And by our late Posterity be known.
May Bacchus God of Mirth, and Juno kind,
Be present here: and You my Tyrians join,
Well pleas'd, to celebrate the solemn Feast.
Large massy Bowls they place, and crown the Wine.
Loud Noise succeeds: and thro' the ample Courts
They roll the Sound: in Sconces Tapers hang
Lighted from gilded Roofs: and Night retires,
O'erpower'd with blazing Flambeaus.—Here the Queen
Calls for a Goblet, rough with Gems, and Gold,
(Which Belus us'd, and all the Kings from him,)
And fills it up with Wine: then thro' the Court
509
To fix the Laws of Hospitality,)
Grant that this Day auspicious may be prov'd
To both the Colonies of Tyre and Troy,
And by our late Posterity be known.
May Bacchus God of Mirth, and Juno kind,
Be present here: and You my Tyrians join,
Well pleas'd, to celebrate the solemn Feast.
This said, she for Libation spills the Wine
Upon the Board: and first with gentle Touch
Salutes the Cup: which, hast'ning him, she gives
To Bitias: He with speed the frothy Bowl
Drinks off, and swills himself with the full Gold.
Then all the Lords.—
Upon the Board: and first with gentle Touch
Salutes the Cup: which, hast'ning him, she gives
To Bitias: He with speed the frothy Bowl
Drinks off, and swills himself with the full Gold.
Then all the Lords.—
Alcides enter'd: Him this Court receiv'd.
Dare to scorn Wealth, brave Guest: Presume thy self
Worthy to emulate a God: and come
Not supercilious to our little State.
He said; and underneath his homely Roof
Conducts the great Æneas: on spread Leaves,
And on a Lybian Bear's rough Hide repos'd.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |