Poems On several Occasions, and Translations Wherein The First and Second books of Virgil's Aeneis are attempted, In English. By Tho. Fletcher |
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A Translation from the first Book of Boethius de Consol. Phil. |
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 | Poems On several Occasions, and Translations |  |
A Translation from the first Book of Boethius de Consol. Phil.
I who in sprightly Verse once sung my Joy,Must now sad thoughts and mournful numbers try
The sullen Muses only Grief inspire,
And Ills unfeign'd sad Elegies require.
The Muses faithful to my suff'rings stay,
Nor dread th' Infection of Misery.
These, who did once my happier Youth engage,
Are now the comforts of my wretched Age.
For I am Old; Age hasten'd on with Cares
And Sorrow claims the remnant of my Years.
Untimely Snow deforms my careful Head,
And shrivel'd Skin o'er my craz'd body's spread.
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Would it our Youth and happy Minutes spare,
And only rescue us from Age and Care.
But ah! the wretched's Cry it never hears,
Nor shuts those Eyes which are kept ope by tears.
While faithless Chance her empty Goods supply'd,
Fate seem'd in hast, and I had almost dy'd.
But now forsaken, and resign'd to Grief,
Death scorns me too, and I am curst with Life.
Why, Friends, so oft have ye pronounc'd me blest,
Secure, above the reach of Fortune plac'd?
By sad Experience I've your Errour found,
He, that could fall, stood but on slipp'ry ground.
| Poems On several Occasions, and Translations | |