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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Intreaty.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Intreaty.
See Dissuasion. Request (Dying.)
—By Heav'n,
By all the Gods, who witness to the Truth,
By all that Faith, (if any such there be,)
Which yet remains untainted in the World,
You suppliant I implore: commiserate
Such mighty Woes, commiserate a Wretch
Not meriting the Afflictions he endures.—
By all the Gods, who witness to the Truth,
By all that Faith, (if any such there be,)
Which yet remains untainted in the World,
You suppliant I implore: commiserate
539
Not meriting the Afflictions he endures.—
Why does
he stop his unrelenting Ears
To my Intreaties? Whither does he fly
So hasty? this last Favour let him grant
To his unhappy Lover: let him wait
An easy Voyage, and permitting Winds.
I now no more petition him to yield
The Rights of Nuptials, which he has betray'd:
Nor urge him to relinquish his gay Hopes
Of Italy and Empire:—All I beg
Is but a soothing Interval, some Rest,
And Respite to my Passion: 'till my Fate
Shall to Misfortune reconcile my Soul,
Subdu'd by Grief, and teach me how to mourn.
This let him grant: I'll then dismiss him free,
And crown his Satisfaction with my Death.—
To my Intreaties? Whither does he fly
So hasty? this last Favour let him grant
To his unhappy Lover: let him wait
An easy Voyage, and permitting Winds.
I now no more petition him to yield
The Rights of Nuptials, which he has betray'd:
Nor urge him to relinquish his gay Hopes
Of Italy and Empire:—All I beg
Is but a soothing Interval, some Rest,
And Respite to my Passion: 'till my Fate
Shall to Misfortune reconcile my Soul,
Subdu'd by Grief, and teach me how to mourn.
This let him grant: I'll then dismiss him free,
And crown his Satisfaction with my Death.—
Trembling, he clasp'd the Hero's Knees, and pray'd:
By young Iülus, by thy Father's Shade,
O spare my Life, and send me back to see
My longing Sire, and tender Progeny.
A lofty House I have, and Wealth untold,
In Silver Ingots, and in Bars of Gold:
All these, and Sums besides, which see no Day,
The Ransom of this one poor Life shall pay.
If I survive, shall Troy the less prevail?
A single Soul's too light to turn the Scale.—
By young Iülus, by thy Father's Shade,
O spare my Life, and send me back to see
My longing Sire, and tender Progeny.
A lofty House I have, and Wealth untold,
In Silver Ingots, and in Bars of Gold:
All these, and Sums besides, which see no Day,
The Ransom of this one poor Life shall pay.
If I survive, shall Troy the less prevail?
A single Soul's too light to turn the Scale.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |