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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Landing Oppos'd. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Landing Oppos'd.
Full thirty Ships
transport the chosen Train,
For Troy's Relief, and scour the briny Main.
The careful Chief who never clos'd his Eyes,
Himself the Rudder holds, the Sails supplies.
He charg'd the Soldiers with preventing Care,
The Flags to follow, and their Arms prepare:
Warn'd of th' ensuing Fight, and bad them hope the War.
For Troy's Relief, and scour the briny Main.
The careful Chief who never clos'd his Eyes,
Himself the Rudder holds, the Sails supplies.
He charg'd the Soldiers with preventing Care,
The Flags to follow, and their Arms prepare:
Warn'd of th' ensuing Fight, and bad them hope the War.
Now, from his lofty Poop, he view'd below
His Camp encompass'd, and th' inclosing Foe.
His brazen Shield, embrac'd, he held on high:
The Camp receive the Sign, and with loud Shouts reply:
Hope Arms their Courage: from their Towers they throw
Their Darts with double Force, and drive the Foe.
Thus, at the Signal giv'n, the Cranes arise,
With joyful Clang, and leave the stormy Skies.
His Camp encompass'd, and th' inclosing Foe.
His brazen Shield, embrac'd, he held on high:
The Camp receive the Sign, and with loud Shouts reply:
Hope Arms their Courage: from their Towers they throw
Their Darts with double Force, and drive the Foe.
Thus, at the Signal giv'n, the Cranes arise,
With joyful Clang, and leave the stormy Skies.
15
The Latins wonder'd at the Fight renew'd:
Till, looking back, the Trojan Fleet they view'd:
The Seas with swelling Canvas cover'd o'er,
And the swift Ships descending on the Shore.
But, nought dismay'd, bold Turnus' Mind is bent
To man the Beach, and hinder their Descent.
He thus awakes the Courage of his Friends:
What You so long have wish'd kind Fortune sends:
In ardent Arms to meet th' invading Foe:
You find, and find him at Advantage now.
Now take the Time, while stagg'ring yet they stand
With Feet unfirm: attack them as they land:
Fortune befriends the Bold. No more he said,
But ballanc'd whom to leave, and whom to lead:
Then These elects, the Landing to prevent:
And Those he leaves to keep the City pent.
Till, looking back, the Trojan Fleet they view'd:
The Seas with swelling Canvas cover'd o'er,
And the swift Ships descending on the Shore.
But, nought dismay'd, bold Turnus' Mind is bent
To man the Beach, and hinder their Descent.
He thus awakes the Courage of his Friends:
What You so long have wish'd kind Fortune sends:
In ardent Arms to meet th' invading Foe:
You find, and find him at Advantage now.
Now take the Time, while stagg'ring yet they stand
With Feet unfirm: attack them as they land:
Fortune befriends the Bold. No more he said,
But ballanc'd whom to leave, and whom to lead:
Then These elects, the Landing to prevent:
And Those he leaves to keep the City pent.
Mean time, the Trojan sends his Troops ashore:
Some are by Boats expos'd, by Bridges more:
With lab'ring Oars they bear along the Strand,
Where the Tide languishes, and leap to Land.
Some are by Boats expos'd, by Bridges more:
With lab'ring Oars they bear along the Strand,
Where the Tide languishes, and leap to Land.
Tarchon observes the Coast with careful Eyes,
And where no Ford he finds, no Water fries,
Nor Billows with unequal Murmur roar,
But smoothly slide along, and swell the Shore:
That Course he steer'd, and thus he gave Command,
Here ply your Oars, and at all Hazard land:
Force on the Vessel, that her Keel may wound
This hated Soil, and furrow hostile Ground.
Let me securely land, I ask no more,
Then sink my Ships, or scatter on the Shore.
And where no Ford he finds, no Water fries,
Nor Billows with unequal Murmur roar,
But smoothly slide along, and swell the Shore:
That Course he steer'd, and thus he gave Command,
Here ply your Oars, and at all Hazard land:
Force on the Vessel, that her Keel may wound
This hated Soil, and furrow hostile Ground.
Let me securely land, I ask no more,
Then sink my Ships, or scatter on the Shore.
This fiery Speech inflames his daring Friends,
They tug at ev'ry Oar, and ev'ry Stretcher bends:
They run their Ships a-ground, the Vessels knock,
(Thus forc'd ashore) and tremble with the Shock.
They tug at ev'ry Oar, and ev'ry Stretcher bends:
They run their Ships a-ground, the Vessels knock,
(Thus forc'd ashore) and tremble with the Shock.
Turnus leads on his Troops without Delay,
Advancing to the Margin of the Sea.
The Trumpets sound a Charge. On either Hand,
These fight to keep, and Those to win the Land.
With mutual Blood th' Ausonian Soil is dy'd,
While on it's Borders each their Claim decide.
As wintry Winds contending in the Sky,
With equal Rage of Lungs their Titles try:
They rage, they roar: The doubtful Rack of Heav'n
Stands without Motion, and the Tide undriv'n:
Each bent to conquer, neither Side to yield,
They long suspend the Fortune of the Field:
Both Armies thus perform what Courage can,
Foot set to Foot, and Man oppos'd to Man.—
Advancing to the Margin of the Sea.
The Trumpets sound a Charge. On either Hand,
These fight to keep, and Those to win the Land.
17
While on it's Borders each their Claim decide.
As wintry Winds contending in the Sky,
With equal Rage of Lungs their Titles try:
They rage, they roar: The doubtful Rack of Heav'n
Stands without Motion, and the Tide undriv'n:
Each bent to conquer, neither Side to yield,
They long suspend the Fortune of the Field:
Both Armies thus perform what Courage can,
Foot set to Foot, and Man oppos'd to Man.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |