HEROICK EPIGRAMS, Upon Some choice Passages in the LIVES of the Twelve CÆSARS, And other worthy Subjects.
By T. P. Gent.
1. Cæsar, quæsi celsus; because he was cut out of his Mothers Womb.
Lucretia
's Rape did such an Odium bring;
That warlike Rome, could not digest a King.
Vice undermines the Greatest; Rome no Place,
(Much lesse a Throne) would grant the Tarquin Race.
When the Republick had regain'd her Health;
Consuls were chose, to steer the Commonwealth.
Who, when the Waves did rage, guided their ship,
By the sure Card, of a Dictatorship.
Which was to last, till th'Empresse of the Night,
Six times had glori'd, in a globous Light.
Onely thy Sword, Great Julius! seal'd to Thee
That Honour, and its Perpetuity.
The Picture of thy Minde, was Limn'd by Strife;
Thy Body before Birth, was Cut to th'Life.
2. Upon Cæsars Epilepsie, or Fallen-sicknesse.
That Emperour whose Universal Awe,
Prescrib'd both Tybur, and the Thames a Law.
He whose Sword sent some Myriads of Souls,
To that dark Den, where Cerberus grins, and Houls.
In spight of Throne, was cast upon the Ground;
His sence benighted, in a sudden Swound.
He who was Victor, over what He pleas'd;
Could not evade the Title, of Diseas'd:
Such Physick was to's Tympany apply'd;
The Fallen-sicknesse, is the Scourge of Pride.
3. Upon his Motto; Cæsar, ex utroque.
Cæsar
was pleas'd, himself for to expresse;
By the Heroick, and rever'd Impresse;
Of a Sword, and a Book. Can it be thus,
That Tents, and Studies, are Synonimous?
He needs must Triumph, over ev'ry Part:
Who takes Auxiliaries, from Arms, from Art.
4. Venite huc.
It is no News; that some Commanders will,
Onely in Bushes, Saw-pits, shew their skill.
How stands our Case? as Cæsar did command,
So from the Hilt, He stirr'd not his own Hand.
What Breast is so benumb'd, as to count light,
The General should say; Come let us fight?
5. Veni, Vidi, Vici.
Though
Pompey, Mithridates over-threw;
Pharnax his Son, began the Wars anew.
Cæsar entreated, by a gremial Friend;
To certifie him, when Stern Mars did end:
Return'd this Note; I came, view'd, did confound;
After Dispute, as by his Promise bound.
If thy eyes send forth Deadly Rayes; sure then,
The Basilisk hath left his Trade to Men.
6. The most Cowardly of Cæsars Souldiers, were Couragious, in Defence of his Honour.
The trembling Bucks, dread their own shadows; but,
Who such Bravado's, when they go to Rut?
Love scorns, that any Remora should be:
That's the true Sigil, moving Gallantrie.
7. Upon Cæsars Ambition.
Cæsars
aspiring Minde, could not concurre;
With the Dictates, of a Superiour.
It was more Delight to have sole Command,
In a poor Cottage; and four Acres Land,
Then to have had such a disastrous Fate,
As might have dub'd him second, to the State.
The World feeds many Millions; hath four Parts:
Yet cannot Breakfast, two Ambitious Hearts.
8. Non Rex sum, sed Cæsar.
Rome
as a Camerade to Cæsars Fate;
By name of King, did him Congratulate.
They hit the Grain, for Prides Humour delights;
In nothing more, then crouching Parasites.
One time the Cry, remarkably was small;
Cæsar laugh'd at, the accidental Fall:
And demanded, whence might the Error spring;
My Sirname's Cæsar; Gentlemen! not King.
9. Julio, & Cæsare, Consulibus.
Cæsar
, and Bibulus, elected were;
Joyntly the weight, of Consulship to bear.
Cæsar's Activity, brought it to passe;
That nothing, but by him, transacted was.
And the swift Torrent, of a flowing Fame;
Wash'd clean away, grave Bibulus his Name.
Some Magistrates, void Cyphers we may call:
Uselesse; but to make others, Decimal.
10. Upon Cæsars Horsmanship.
If we to Histories submit our Creed;
Cæsar with's Hands behinde, could Run full speed.
There needs no Dispute, to confirm this true:
That He Rid faster, then Romes Eagle flew.
11. Upon his weeping over Pompey's Head.
What did thine eyes embalm Great Pompey's Head?
Could it prove Sorrow, to see a Foe dead?
O admirable Cæsar! very fine,
Thy Brain should spend, unnecessary Brine.
Yet the scal'd Crocodile, out-weep Thee can:
Nay 'tis her Practise; But first Kils the Man.
12. Upon his Burning such Letters as were found in Pompey's Trunks.
Equivocating Fortune gave the Day;
To Cæsar; in the large Pharsalia.
Among the Spoyls, that beautifi'd the Ground;
Chests pack'd with Letters, the brave Victor found.
Who lest they should stir Anger, was content,
They should (unseen) feed Vulcan's Element.
'Twas hard to Conquer; But for to deny
Himself; was the Egregious Victory.
13. Mori malo, quam Timere.
Cæsar
refus'd a Guard; nor did He care,
To provide Barricado's against Fear.
The Devil, and his Dam, can but cause Death:
Why should Dread gallop, upon humane Breath?
14. Upon his robbing of the Treasury.
Cæsar
in time of War, did set light by,
The Sacriledge of Saturn's Treasury.
A Heathen would not do't, in times of Peace:
Although some Saints, can swallow it, at Ease.
15. Difficilius est mihi, hoc dicere; quam Facere.
Cæsars
necessity made his Hands bold,
To purge the inner Treasury, of Gold.
Metellus resolutely did resist;
Cæsar commanded quickly to desist,
Or He should cease to Live. I can thee kill,
with far more Ease, young Man! then say, I will.
Cæsar is dead, Two thousand years ago:
We finde it easier, for to Say, then Do.
16.
Cæsar's Wife, should not only be without Fault,
but without the least Suspition of Fault.
Vertues Law is, Man thy self regulate;
I can't prevent, being unfortunate.
Let my Wife Answer for her self; shall I;
Bear for her faults, the Brand of Infamy?
Yes that you must; and for your Servants too:
From the old Cock, the Chickens learn to crow.
17. Cæsarem vehis, & Fortunam ejus.
In a black Storm, when Hail-stones fell in crouds;
And Hector Boreas, chas'd the ruffled clouds;
Cæsar was in a Pinnace, void of Fear:
Although the Water-man, conceiv'd Death near:
You silly Boat-swain! If Neptune would drown,
The Earth's great Master, he would spare his own.
18.
Cæsar Sacrificing, One of the Beasts, wanted an Heart.
For many Laurel wreaths, the Prince of Rome,
The Gods presented, with an Hecatomb.
The wise Haruspex, searching ev'ry Part;
Found out one Beast quite destitute of Heart.
The Sacrifice, was counted Ominous:
No Heart? the Gods will not be served thus.
19. The Ides of March are come, but not past.
Lillies
Great Grand-father, would often say,
Cæsar outlives not, Marches fifteenth day.
Time being come, to run that Middle Race;
Cæsar said, in Astrologies Disgrace;
The Ides of March are come: and so they bee,
Reply'd the Prophet; but you'l something see;
Before the Ides be past. His words had grounds:
Before Night, Cæsar, receiv'd twenty wounds.
Avant Security! I am a Mark;
And Providence, can hit Me, in the Dark:
Though Dice be here; who can Predict my Cast?
This Day is come; but this Day, is not past.
20. Και συ Τεκνον.
Cæsar
, by taking on him too much State;
And slighting Senators, gave Birth to Hate.
This fatal Serpent, propagated More
Conspirators, then are found, in Three-score.
Cæsar was stab'd; and tooke it silently;
Till Brutus, abhor'd damn'd Impiety;
Wrested out these few words, And Thou my Son!
What have the Traytors, mine own Bowels won?
------ Megæra must Conclude:
No sting but Hers, shall bore, Ingratitude.
21. Upon the Brightness of Augustus Cæsar's Countenance.
Phœbus
did not so many Rayes comprise;
As were resplendent in Augustus Eyes.
No wonder Light, in his Face made abode:
Whose Father by Adoption, was a God.
22. Upon the styling of his Freckles, Stars.
Venus
Cheek hath her Mole; so fals it here;
Innumerable Freckles did appear,
Upon Augustus skin: But such as far,
Excel'd the Common, Mimicks of a Star.
That flattery which made his Eyes a Sun,
Could make these Stars; by the same Art 'twas done.
23. Upon one of his Edicts.
When the Great God, descended from on high;
To take the vesture of Mortality:
When the bless'd Jesus, was the Angels Theme;
Whose Carols well-com'd Him, to Bethlehem:
Unto Augustus, it seem'd to be known;
For name of Lord, he durst no longer own.
This Demy-God, the Honour did confer,
On the Immortal, and true Jupiter.
Jupiter, quasi juvans Pater.
24. Upon the ceasing of Oracles, at the same Time.
If the Emperial Head, did chance to Ake;
Forthwith to Delphos, Rome did Journeys take,
To enquire who the Successor should be;
To her redundant Soveraignity.
Augustus did, on the same Message send;
But Hell was cop'd; & could not stand his Friend.
25. Festina lente.
Augustus
pleasing to reprove rash Hast,
Us'd frequently this Proverb; Not too Fast.
Seventy six years, his Lungs were seis'd of Breath:
Perhaps he read that Lecture unto Death.
26. Upon his Magnificence.
When
Rome was in her Cradle, Remus Bloud,
Wash'd her Foundation; with a crimson Floud.
Not to be lull'd by Peace could she dispence;
As if Bellona's, choicest Residence.
This made the City, far unfit to be,
A Chair of State, to Supreme Majesty.
But in Augustus Reign, fierce Mars did cease:
And from mean Houses he rais'd Palaces.
That which was lately, Brick, now chang'd its Pitch:
And Pharian Columns, did the Street enrich.
Rome now, or never, had atchiev' her Prime:
Augustus found Materials, and Peace, Time.
27. Upon his Impartiality.
The Commendamus, which Augustus gave
His Sons; was only this; Pray let them have
My glorious Crown; Provided that they be,
Worthy the Diadem of Majesty.
The Commonwealth keeps Jubilee; is Blest:
VVhen great Men chiefly minde, her Interest.
28. Upon the Temple of Janus, being shut.
The Dove cal'd Concord, had Release a while;
From Melancholy limits, in Exile.
Swords became useless; no sad Clamour fils,
The sublime Convex, of the Quirine Hils.
Rome lockt up Janus Temple: what was He,
The Two-fac'd God, cited in Poetry?
For looking Back, perhaps he deserv'd Praise:
But looking Forward,
He could see our daies.
And let him exercise, both Eyes, and Minde;
His Temple shut, He's like no more, to finde.
29. Upon his Gaming.
Augustus
was not spotted with much Vice,
Yet He was Proud, and hugely shak'd the Dice,
Antony out-threw all, but him Alone:
Who by a lucky Passage, won the Throne.
30. Upon his Humanity.
The Eagles Talons did so gripe the Jews,
That to pay Tribute, they durst not refuse.
Augustus wil'd the Publicans to stay,
From grudg'd Collections, on the Saturday:
Upon Morality, Men may dispence,
With smaller Lapses; done in Conscience.
31. Upon Tiberius Cæsar's Speech; Thoughts, and Words, should be Free; in a free State.
The smallest Dust, doth trouble much the eye;
The lightest Blow, bruises a Monarchy.
How came Tiberius to unbarre the Tongue?
To coyn Pretences, to Hang Old, and young.
Extensive Freedom! Men may Scot-free prate:
Not ev'ry Man, but they who want Estate.
32. A good Shepherd onely shears his Sheep, &c.
None could perswade Tiberius, to play
The Tyrant, for a while; nor would He lay
Taxations on the Provinces. The Wool,
A carefull Shepherd clips; Kings must not pull,
Their Subjects skins over their Eares. 'Tis right;
But, who Complements thus? An Hypocrite.
33. Upon his forbidding Kisses.
Tiberias
by a promulg'd Edict,
Prohibited Salutes: what, what, so strict?
Yes, yes, for He ador'd the Stews. Just so,
Mall must not Kisse; although her Madam do.
34.
Tiberias was rare Good at Ex Tempore.
Premeditated Thoughts, quite lost their Edge;
His Nest was Feather'd, though his Words not fledge.
Gifted Tiberias! 'twas no Disgrace:
Dear St. revive: thou'lt have an Elders Place.
35. Oderint, dum Probent.
Rome
was his Ladder, to the regal Throne:
For to requite her Love, let him alone,
Who likes her Hatred. How? None disapprove,
But thee Biberius! their Subjects Love.
36. Upon his using the Laurel, as a Shield, to protect him against Lightning.
When as a fiery exhalation ror'd;
And through the Middle Region, Passage bor'd:
Tiberias fortifi'd his Kingly Brow;
With the prov'd Helmet, of a Laurel Bough.
The due Possessor, Laurel frees from Harms:
Not Envy's Thunder-Bolt, can pierce such Arms.
37. It was a Capital Crime to name a Goat, before Caius Caligula.
A wanton Hee-Goat, hath not moyster Pores;
Then that shag'd Monster, which proud Rome adores.
Hence was it made High Treason for to say,
A Goat; in Presence of Caligula.
A slight reflection, Princes Glory blots:
Before the Moon, forbear to talk of Spots.
38. Upon his wish, that some Eminent Mischief, might befall; during his Reign.
Caius
had a mishapen Body; Face,
Exceeding Wan; nor did fair vertue Grace,
His inward Parts: yet the Audacious Clod,
Commanded Worship, to himself; as God.
You needed not to wish Calamity;
What Plague can exceed, such a Prodigie?
39. Upon his Cruelty.
Caligula
's Bloud-thirsty Soul, did rave,
To send a Man, to an untimely Grave.
Through the mistake of Name, a wrong was slain.
Mercilesse Caius, did the Fact maintain;
For He deserv'd it too. An apt Pretence!
He merited the Ax; through Innocence.
40. Upon his Dissimulation.
Caius
a mediate Descent could frame,
From him, who yellow Tyber gave a Name.
This cast Foundations; but the regal Chaire,
Became his Seat; by leading life so faire.
But when he felt the Gratifying Crown:
Deboshed Clodius, could not put him down.
Whilest Vices Wings are clipt, it can't soare high:
Honour's the Touchstone, of Morality.
41. Και συ γερων ει, δε μωρος.
A Grecian
Lawyer's Impudence, did quote
Claudius Dotage, and as Fool him note.
Princes should not let loose the Reins. A Frog,
Trampled his King; when Jove threw down, a Log.
42. Upon his ridiculous Resolution.
Claudius
was half resolv'd, by his Edict;
To concede. Leave, Wind might no more afflict,
The Entrails; detain'd by Civility;
At Feasts, at Banquets, the Guts might let fly.
His Nostrils alwayes wept: you might suppose,
Before I told you this; He wanted Nose.
43. Upon Nero's feigned Clemencie.
The Bloud-Hound Nero, when desir'd to set
His Hand to fatal Warrants; us'd Regret.
And to prevent th'Incursions of Hate;
In mercie wish'd himself, Illiterate.
Whence was his Quill, in writing obstructed?
The Ink was Black; and He lik'd none but Red.
44. Upon his Quinquennium.
Till
Sol had kiss'd the Equinoctial Line,
Ten times; in Nero, Vertues Rays did shine.
After five years, He did degenerate;
And prov'd a Vulture, to the Roman State.
Most Kings make Good beginnings; Few endure:
A Murtherer, waits till He seems secure.
45. Occidar modo Imperet.
When
Nero's Embryo, did his Mother fill;
She search'd the Bowels of Chaldean skill:
Would'st know his Fortune? Thy Issue shall be,
A King; thy Life shall feel his Tyrannie.
Pride swell'd her Joy, that she could not refrain;
Let my Son kill me; so my Son may Reign.
Her wishes took Effect; Nero was kinde;
To observe punctualy, his Mothers minde.
46. Upon his inhumane Wish.
Nero
hearing one say, that when he dy'd,
He car'd not if the Earth in Fire were fry'd;
Belch'd forth this wish; O might I live to see,
The World grone under, that Catastrophe!
'Twere frivolous Alecto should so do:
Thy Tyranny, may serve both Her and You.
47. Upon his being deluded by the Oracle.
Nero
consulting Delphos Oracle,
How long His Soul might in her Palace dwell;
Receiv'd this Answer: Very carefull be;
To ten times seven, when there's added Three.
This Age from Nero far remote appears:
His own were counted, and not Galba's years.
When on Destruction, the Gods are intent:
They use Security; as Instrument.
48. Upon his inordinate Delight in Musick.
Blest
Agrippina! your Dear Son can tell,
To Tune an Harp; and play a Lesson well.
Why should his Faculty incurre dislike?
As great as He, have learn'd to play Mardike.
49. Upon Sulpitius Galba's Deformity.
Galba
long since, did lose becoming Hair:
Extreamly crooked, both Hands, and Feet, were.
'Tis strange his Honour, seven Moneths should stand:
Who was defective in Head, Feet, and Hand.
50. Upon his Studies.
The Study of the Laws, did Galba please;
Better then other, charming Sciences.
When Princes want the Knowledge of the Law:
'Tis Tyranny, not Reason, keeps in Awe.
51. Upon Salvius Otho's Perruck.
Deformed
Otho's Hair, was spred so thin;
That to wear False, He accounted no Sin.
What did our Fashions, lie in Otho's Road?
Yes, if his Perruck, were cut A la Mode.
52. Upon his Curiosity.
Five hundred times a Day, the Looking-Glasse,
Commended Otho, for a cleanly Face.
This Fool to make it Fair, Sops did apply:
Had He no Wife, to learn him Mercury?
53. Upon the Justice of Aulus Vitellius.
Those, who with Galba's Bloud had their Hands stain'd;
To suffer death, Vitellius constrain'd.
He, who was thus precise, was no whit Nice;
To plunge Himself, into the Mire of Vice.
One Swallow makes no Summer. Vertuous call
Rulers, when Vertue, is Habitual.
54. Upon his Gluttony.
Two thousand Fishes, and seven thousand Fowl,
Once Feasted this, Epicurean Soul.
But He was granted, but eight Moneths command:
A compleat year, might have starv'd half the Land.
55. Upon Flavius Vespasians Vertue.
Vespasian
during his Privacie,
Led such a Life, as was Exemplary.
The Souldiers Love, ordained him the Chair:
He grew more High; and his Demeanour Fair.
In the 12 Cæsars, (O how frail are Men!)
Honour made but Two better; Worser, Ten.
56. Upon his Avariciousnesse.
None could Vespasians Impositions flie,
But, who were troubled, with the Strangurie.
His manifest Extortions, were so vile;
That Rome was taxed, ev'ry Pissing while.
57. Upon Titus Vespasians sweet Disposition.
Debonaire
Titus, rejoyc'd to confer
Benefits, on the sad Petitioner.
His Love kept Sentinels; lest some by chance,
Might return, with dejected Countenance.
His Subjects were his Sons. They well assign'd.
His Epithite; The Darling of Man-kinde.
58. Upon his Assiduity in Goodnesse.
The Days bright Father, had hid profuse Light;
Under the Curtains, of a Pur-blinde Night:
When good Vespasian publickly did say;
Alasse my Friends! I did no good this Day.
Fame take a Note; Rome the like never Bred.
Vespasian was a God; and yet not Dead.
59. Upon Flavius Domitians Timerousnesse.
Domitian
the tedious Day did passe,
In Galleries; forging a Looking-Glasse;
By help of the Phengites Stone. His Minde
Was hugely intent, to observe behinde.
His Cruelty, had run much on the Score:
He look'd Behinde; He should have look'd Before.
60. Upon Domitians private Recreation.
Childish
Domitian, no Pastime did prise;
To the Heroick Turnament, at Flies.
Let Hercules Nemæan Lyons kill.
Or Julius, with admiration fill,
The Worlds dimensions; who, did disarray,
The Two and fiftieth, hot Battalia.
Fierce Meleager, vapours in a Boare.
Let thy Carpophorus, kill Twenty score;
Of short-Neck'd Bears. What should Domitian trie,
Dangers so Evident? A Flie, a Flie.
