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. |
|
|
|
Justice (Divine.)
|
| II. |
|
|
|
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Justice (Divine.)
See Providence.
Oft have I been perplex'd with anxious Doubts:
Uncertain if about this World the Gods
Employ their Care, or if, without a Guide,
All mortal Things at random take their Course.
Uncertain if about this World the Gods
Employ their Care, or if, without a Guide,
All mortal Things at random take their Course.
When I had trac'd the Order of the Whole,
The Ocean's Bounds, the Winding of the Year,
The fixt Vicissitude of Night and Day,
Thence I concluded all Things were dispos'd
By the wise Councils of a Deity:
At whose Command the Stars their Rounds fulfill,
And various Fruits at diff'rent Seasons grow:
By whom the changeful Moon with borrow'd Beams
Repleat, shines forth, and Phœbus with his own:
Whose Hand stretch'd out the Shores to bound the Main;
And on it's Axis, ballanc'd, hung the Ball.
The Ocean's Bounds, the Winding of the Year,
The fixt Vicissitude of Night and Day,
Thence I concluded all Things were dispos'd
By the wise Councils of a Deity:
At whose Command the Stars their Rounds fulfill,
And various Fruits at diff'rent Seasons grow:
By whom the changeful Moon with borrow'd Beams
Repleat, shines forth, and Phœbus with his own:
Whose Hand stretch'd out the Shores to bound the Main;
And on it's Axis, ballanc'd, hung the Ball.
But, when I view'd th' Affairs of Humankind,
All dark, perplext, and unaccountable:
The Wicked flourishing, elate, and proud:
The Righteous suff'ring, wretched, and distrest;
My Faith again was stagger'd, and inclin'd,
Altho' unwillingly to his Belief,
Who, that the Parts of Matter hurry on
At random, thro' the mighty Void, maintain'd,
In no determin'd, steady, constant Course:
And shift their Forms, by Chance not Wisdom rul'd.
Who, or suppos'd the Gods of Reason void,
Or Beings indolent at best, and weak,
Of Us unknowing, and of our Affairs.
All dark, perplext, and unaccountable:
The Wicked flourishing, elate, and proud:
The Righteous suff'ring, wretched, and distrest;
My Faith again was stagger'd, and inclin'd,
555
Who, that the Parts of Matter hurry on
At random, thro' the mighty Void, maintain'd,
In no determin'd, steady, constant Course:
And shift their Forms, by Chance not Wisdom rul'd.
Who, or suppos'd the Gods of Reason void,
Or Beings indolent at best, and weak,
Of Us unknowing, and of our Affairs.
But now, this Tumult of the Mind is calm'd:
Rufinus' Punishment acquits the Gods:
And, that the Wicked to th' utmost Pitch
Of Grandeur soar, no longer I complain.
They're rais'd on high to make their Fall the greater.—
—If Humankind you scorn,
Rufinus' Punishment acquits the Gods:
And, that the Wicked to th' utmost Pitch
Of Grandeur soar, no longer I complain.
They're rais'd on high to make their Fall the greater.—
And mortal Arms: Expect, at least, the Gods
Will have a due Regard to Right, and Wrong.—
When, snatch'd by cruel Fate, the Good and Just,
Perish, and sink untimely to the Dust.
(May I the bold Confession be forgiven!)
I almost think there are no Gods in Heaven.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |