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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Archery.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Archery.
Forthwith
Æneas to the Sports invites
All who with feather'd Shafts would try their Skill,
And names the Prizes. With his ample Hand
He from Serestus' Ship a Mast erects,
And on it by a Rope suspended ties
A swift wing'd Dove: at which they all should aim
Their Arrows.—
All who with feather'd Shafts would try their Skill,
And names the Prizes. With his ample Hand
He from Serestus' Ship a Mast erects,
And on it by a Rope suspended ties
A swift wing'd Dove: at which they all should aim
Their Arrows.—
73
—Then all with manly Strength
Bend their tough Yew: each with his utmost Force:
All from their Quivers draw their Shafts:—And first
Shot from the twanging Nerve Hippocoon's flies
Along the Sky, divides the liquid Air,
And on the Body of the Mast adverse
Stands fix'd: the Mast, and frighted Bird at once
Tremble: And all the Cirque with Shouts resounds.
Next eager Mnestheus with his bended Bow
Stands ready, and his Eyes and Arrow aim'd
Directs to Heav'n: yet could not reach the Dove
Herself, unfortunate: but cut the Knots,
And hempen Ligaments, in which she hung
Ty'd by the Feet upon the lofty Mast:
She flys into the Winds, and dusky Clouds.
Eurytion then impatient, and long since
Holding his ready Bow, and fitted Steel,
Invokes his Brother: and, in open Air
Seeing the Dove now shake her sounding Wings,
Transfixes her amidst the Clouds: The Bird
Falls dead, and leaves her Life among the Stars:
And, tumbling, in her Body brings him back
His sticking Arrow.—
Bend their tough Yew: each with his utmost Force:
All from their Quivers draw their Shafts:—And first
Shot from the twanging Nerve Hippocoon's flies
Along the Sky, divides the liquid Air,
And on the Body of the Mast adverse
Stands fix'd: the Mast, and frighted Bird at once
Tremble: And all the Cirque with Shouts resounds.
Next eager Mnestheus with his bended Bow
Stands ready, and his Eyes and Arrow aim'd
Directs to Heav'n: yet could not reach the Dove
Herself, unfortunate: but cut the Knots,
And hempen Ligaments, in which she hung
Ty'd by the Feet upon the lofty Mast:
She flys into the Winds, and dusky Clouds.
Eurytion then impatient, and long since
Holding his ready Bow, and fitted Steel,
Invokes his Brother: and, in open Air
Seeing the Dove now shake her sounding Wings,
Transfixes her amidst the Clouds: The Bird
Falls dead, and leaves her Life among the Stars:
And, tumbling, in her Body brings him back
His sticking Arrow.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |