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. |
|
|
Appeal to the Gods. |
| II. |
|
|
|
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Appeal to the Gods.
But, if the Gods above have Pow'r to know,
And judge those Actions that are done below:
Unless the dreaded Thunders of the Sky,
Like me, subdu'd, and violated lye:
Hear me, O Heav'n! and if a God be there,
Let him regard me, and accept my Pray'r.—
And judge those Actions that are done below:
Unless the dreaded Thunders of the Sky,
Like me, subdu'd, and violated lye:
Hear me, O Heav'n! and if a God be there,
Let him regard me, and accept my Pray'r.—
Almighty Jove! to whom our Moorish Line
In large Libations pour the gen'rous Wine,
And feast on painted Beds: Say, Father! say,
If yet thy Eyes those flagrant Crimes survey.
Or do we vainly tremble and adore,
When thro' the Skies the pealing Thunders roar?
Thine are the Bolts?—or idly do they fall,
And rattle thro' the dark aërial Hall?
In large Libations pour the gen'rous Wine,
And feast on painted Beds: Say, Father! say,
If yet thy Eyes those flagrant Crimes survey.
Or do we vainly tremble and adore,
When thro' the Skies the pealing Thunders roar?
69
And rattle thro' the dark aërial Hall?
Almighty Jove! if Thou by any Pray'rs
Art mov'd, this once behold Us: and if aught
Our Piety deserves, afford Us now
Thy Succour.—
Art mov'd, this once behold Us: and if aught
Our Piety deserves, afford Us now
Thy Succour.—
—The Captive rears
His Hands unshackled to the golden Stars:
You, ye eternal Splendors! he exclaims,
And Your divine, inviolable Flames!
Ye fatal Swords and Altars! which I fled,
Ye Wreaths! that circled this devoted Head:
All, all, attest, that justly I release
My sworn Allegiance to the Laws of Greece:
Renounce my Country, hate her Sons, and lay
Their inmost Counsels open to the Day.—
His Hands unshackled to the golden Stars:
You, ye eternal Splendors! he exclaims,
And Your divine, inviolable Flames!
Ye fatal Swords and Altars! which I fled,
Ye Wreaths! that circled this devoted Head:
All, all, attest, that justly I release
My sworn Allegiance to the Laws of Greece:
Renounce my Country, hate her Sons, and lay
Their inmost Counsels open to the Day.—
Then good Æneas from his Shoulders rends
His Robe, invokes th' Assistance of the Gods,
And stretches out his Hands.—Almighty Jove!
If all the Trojans be not to a Man
By Thee as yet abhorr'd: if human Toils
Thy long experienc'd Goodness aught regards;
This flaming Ruin, Father! from our Ships
Remove, and save the little State of Troy:
Or, what alone remains, here strike me dead,
Transfix'd with Lightning, if I so deserve:
And crush me with thy own avenging Hand.—
His Robe, invokes th' Assistance of the Gods,
And stretches out his Hands.—Almighty Jove!
If all the Trojans be not to a Man
By Thee as yet abhorr'd: if human Toils
Thy long experienc'd Goodness aught regards;
This flaming Ruin, Father! from our Ships
Remove, and save the little State of Troy:
Or, what alone remains, here strike me dead,
Transfix'd with Lightning, if I so deserve:
And crush me with thy own avenging Hand.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |