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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Lust.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
55
Lust.
Tereus
beheld the
Virgin, and admir'd,
And with the Coals of burning Lust was fir'd:
Like crackling Stubble, or the Summer Hay,
When forked Lightnings o'er the Meadows play.
Such Charms in any Breast might kindle Love,
But him the Heats of inbred Lewdness move.
Straight her Attendants he designs to buy,
And with large Bribes her Governess would try:
Herself with ample Gifts resolves to bend,
And his whole Kingdom in th' Attempt expend:
Or, snatch'd away by Force of Arms, to bear,
And justify the Rape with open War.—
All Things he dares, provok'd by wild Desire:
Nor can his Breast endure so fierce a Fire.—
And with the Coals of burning Lust was fir'd:
Like crackling Stubble, or the Summer Hay,
When forked Lightnings o'er the Meadows play.
Such Charms in any Breast might kindle Love,
But him the Heats of inbred Lewdness move.
Straight her Attendants he designs to buy,
And with large Bribes her Governess would try:
Herself with ample Gifts resolves to bend,
And his whole Kingdom in th' Attempt expend:
Or, snatch'd away by Force of Arms, to bear,
And justify the Rape with open War.—
All Things he dares, provok'd by wild Desire:
Nor can his Breast endure so fierce a Fire.—
Her snowy Arms her aged Sire embrace,
And clasp his Neck with an endearing Grace.
Tereus surveys her with a luscious Eye,
And in his Mind forestalls the blissful Joy:
Her circling Arms a Scene of Lust inspire,
And ev'ry Kiss foments the raging Fire.
Fondly he wishes for the Father's Place,
To feel, and to return the warm Embrace:
Nor would the nearest Ties of filial Blood,
Abate his Flame, or force him to be good.—
And clasp his Neck with an endearing Grace.
Tereus surveys her with a luscious Eye,
And in his Mind forestalls the blissful Joy:
Her circling Arms a Scene of Lust inspire,
And ev'ry Kiss foments the raging Fire.
Fondly he wishes for the Father's Place,
To feel, and to return the warm Embrace:
Nor would the nearest Ties of filial Blood,
Abate his Flame, or force him to be good.—
Now Philomela, scarce receiv'd on Board,
And in the Royal gilded Barque secur'd:
While from the Shore with Oars and Sails it flies,
We've gain'd our Point! the rough Barbarian cries:—
Now I possess the dear, the blissful Hour,
And ev'ry Wish subjected to my Pow'r!
Transports of Lust his vicious Thoughts employ,
And he forbears, with Pain, th' expected Joy.
His gloating Eyes incessantly survey'd
The Virgin Beauties of the lovely Maid.
As when the bold rapacious Bird of Jove,
With crooked Talons stooping from above,
Has snatch'd, and carry'd to his lofty Nest
A captive Hare, with cruel Gripes opprest:
Secure, with fix'd and unrelenting Eyes,
He sits, and views the helpless trembling Prize.
And in the Royal gilded Barque secur'd:
While from the Shore with Oars and Sails it flies,
We've gain'd our Point! the rough Barbarian cries:—
Now I possess the dear, the blissful Hour,
And ev'ry Wish subjected to my Pow'r!
Transports of Lust his vicious Thoughts employ,
And he forbears, with Pain, th' expected Joy.
His gloating Eyes incessantly survey'd
The Virgin Beauties of the lovely Maid.
57
With crooked Talons stooping from above,
Has snatch'd, and carry'd to his lofty Nest
A captive Hare, with cruel Gripes opprest:
Secure, with fix'd and unrelenting Eyes,
He sits, and views the helpless trembling Prize.
Their Vessels now had made th' intended Land,
And all with Joy descend upon the Strand:
When the false Tyrant seiz'd the princely Maid,
And to a Lodge in distant Woods convey'd:
Pale, sinking, and distress'd with jealous Fears,
And asking for her Sister all in Tears.
The Letcher, for Enjoyment fully bent,
No longer now conceal'd his base Intent;
But with rude Haste the blooming Maid deflow'r'd,
Alone, defenceless, and with Ease o'erpow'r'd.
Her piercing Accents to her Sire complain,
And to her absent Sister, but in vain!
In vain she importunes, with doleful Cries,
Each unattentive Godhead of the Skies.
She pants, and trembles, like the bleating Prey,
From some close-hunted-Wolf just snatch'd away,
That still, with fearful Horror, looks around,
And on its Flank regards the bleeding Wound:
Or as a Dove, whose bloody Feathers show
The cruel Fury of her greedy Foe,
Still pants, and trembles, tho' the Danger's o'er,
And dreads the Talons, which she felt before.—
And all with Joy descend upon the Strand:
When the false Tyrant seiz'd the princely Maid,
And to a Lodge in distant Woods convey'd:
Pale, sinking, and distress'd with jealous Fears,
And asking for her Sister all in Tears.
The Letcher, for Enjoyment fully bent,
No longer now conceal'd his base Intent;
But with rude Haste the blooming Maid deflow'r'd,
Alone, defenceless, and with Ease o'erpow'r'd.
Her piercing Accents to her Sire complain,
And to her absent Sister, but in vain!
In vain she importunes, with doleful Cries,
Each unattentive Godhead of the Skies.
She pants, and trembles, like the bleating Prey,
From some close-hunted-Wolf just snatch'd away,
That still, with fearful Horror, looks around,
And on its Flank regards the bleeding Wound:
Or as a Dove, whose bloody Feathers show
The cruel Fury of her greedy Foe,
Still pants, and trembles, tho' the Danger's o'er,
And dreads the Talons, which she felt before.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |