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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Majesty.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Majesty.
Up to the Temple moves the beauteous Queen,
Dido, surrounded with a Troop of Guards:
As on Eurotas' Banks, or Cynthus' Top
Diana leads her Train: a thousand Nymphs
Enclose her round: Herself her Quiver bears
High on her Shoulder, and with stately Walk
O'er-looks them all: a secret Pleasure slides
Along Latona's Breast. Such Dido was,
So smiling thro' the Crowd she pass'd.—
Then in the Entrance of the Dome, beneath
The middle of the Temple's Arch, she sat,
Fenc'd round with Arms: and, on her Throne aloft
Leaning majestic, to her Subjects gave
Commands and Laws—
Dido, surrounded with a Troop of Guards:
As on Eurotas' Banks, or Cynthus' Top
Diana leads her Train: a thousand Nymphs
Enclose her round: Herself her Quiver bears
High on her Shoulder, and with stately Walk
O'er-looks them all: a secret Pleasure slides
Along Latona's Breast. Such Dido was,
So smiling thro' the Crowd she pass'd.—
Then in the Entrance of the Dome, beneath
The middle of the Temple's Arch, she sat,
Fenc'd round with Arms: and, on her Throne aloft
Leaning majestic, to her Subjects gave
Commands and Laws—
69
Their Queen, whom in her Chamber Dress detains,
Before her Gates the Punic Nobles wait:
Her Steed adorn'd with Purple, and with Gold,
Stands pawing, fierce, and champs the foaming Bit.
At length attended with a num'rous Guard,
She comes majestic: Her Sidonian Vest
Border'd with crimson Fringe: Her Quiver, Gold:
Her Tresses in a golden Knot confin'd:
A golden Buckle clasps her purple Robe.—
Before her Gates the Punic Nobles wait:
Her Steed adorn'd with Purple, and with Gold,
Stands pawing, fierce, and champs the foaming Bit.
At length attended with a num'rous Guard,
She comes majestic: Her Sidonian Vest
Border'd with crimson Fringe: Her Quiver, Gold:
Her Tresses in a golden Knot confin'd:
A golden Buckle clasps her purple Robe.—
Mean while the Kings in long Procession move;
High in his Chariot, by four Horses drawn,
Latinus rides: twelve golden Rays inclose
His Temples round: illustrious Argument
Of his high Lineage, from the Sun deriv'd.
In his white Car, young Turnus next succeeds,
Shaking two Jav'lins of broad pointed Steel.
Then, from the opposite embattl'd Line,
Comes the great Father of the Roman Race,
Æneas, with his Shield's broad starry Orb
All bright, and blazing in celestial Arms:
Ascanius by his Side, the other Hope
Of mighty Rome.—
High in his Chariot, by four Horses drawn,
Latinus rides: twelve golden Rays inclose
His Temples round: illustrious Argument
Of his high Lineage, from the Sun deriv'd.
In his white Car, young Turnus next succeeds,
Shaking two Jav'lins of broad pointed Steel.
Then, from the opposite embattl'd Line,
Comes the great Father of the Roman Race,
Æneas, with his Shield's broad starry Orb
All bright, and blazing in celestial Arms:
Ascanius by his Side, the other Hope
Of mighty Rome.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |