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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Isis.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
545
Isis.
A Glorious Train, and Isis at their Head,
Or stood, or seem'd to stand, before the Bed.
Her moony Horns were on her Forehead plac'd,
And golden Sheaves her shining Temples grac'd,
Round which a regal Diadem on high
Blaz'd forth: The Dog Anubis too was by,
Sacred Bubastis, glorious to the Sight,
And the black Apis mark'd with Spots of White,
And He, the speechless God, whose Finger laid
A-cross his Lips to silence does perswade:
The sounding Sistra in the Train were brought,
Osiris who can ne'er enough be sought,
And the strange Snake with deadly Venom fraught.—
Or stood, or seem'd to stand, before the Bed.
Her moony Horns were on her Forehead plac'd,
And golden Sheaves her shining Temples grac'd,
Round which a regal Diadem on high
Blaz'd forth: The Dog Anubis too was by,
Sacred Bubastis, glorious to the Sight,
And the black Apis mark'd with Spots of White,
And He, the speechless God, whose Finger laid
A-cross his Lips to silence does perswade:
The sounding Sistra in the Train were brought,
Osiris who can ne'er enough be sought,
And the strange Snake with deadly Venom fraught.—
Great Isis! who delight'st to haunt the Fields,
Where fruitful Nile it's golden Harvest yields;
Where with sev'n Mouths into the Sea it falls,
And tak'st thy Walks around Canope's Walls;
Who Memphis visit'st, and the Pharian Tow'rs,
Assist my dear One with thy friendly Pow'rs!
By all thy sacred Rites I Thee conjure,
A Life so precious with thy Help secure!
By Anubis's venerable Face!
So may'st Thou with Osiris still find Grace!
So may thy Altars heap'd with Off'rings shine,
And round those Offrings deadly Serpents twine!
May horned Apis so thy Pomp attend,
And be to Thee, as Thou'rt to her a Friend!
Look down, Oh Isis! on the teeming Fair,
And make at once her Life, and mine, thy Care:
Save both by helping one; the Aid you give
To her saves me, for 'tis by her I live.
Nor undeserving is she, for she pays
Her Vows to Thee on all thy solemn Days;
And still attends thy Feasts to celebrate,
Whene'er the Galli round thy laurel'd Altars wait.—
Where fruitful Nile it's golden Harvest yields;
Where with sev'n Mouths into the Sea it falls,
And tak'st thy Walks around Canope's Walls;
Who Memphis visit'st, and the Pharian Tow'rs,
Assist my dear One with thy friendly Pow'rs!
By all thy sacred Rites I Thee conjure,
A Life so precious with thy Help secure!
By Anubis's venerable Face!
So may'st Thou with Osiris still find Grace!
So may thy Altars heap'd with Off'rings shine,
And round those Offrings deadly Serpents twine!
May horned Apis so thy Pomp attend,
And be to Thee, as Thou'rt to her a Friend!
Look down, Oh Isis! on the teeming Fair,
And make at once her Life, and mine, thy Care:
Save both by helping one; the Aid you give
To her saves me, for 'tis by her I live.
Nor undeserving is she, for she pays
Her Vows to Thee on all thy solemn Days;
And still attends thy Feasts to celebrate,
Whene'er the Galli round thy laurel'd Altars wait.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |