CLAUDIANUS: In Epithalamio Honorii & Mariæ
TRANSLATED.
VENUS coming to a Nuptial Ceremony, and
entering the Room, sees the Bride and her Mother sitting together, &c. On which Occasion
Claudian makes the following Description.
The Goddess paus'd; and, held in deep Amaze,
Now views the Mother's, now the Daughter's Face;
Different in each, yet equal Beauty glows,
That, the full Moon, and This, the Crescent shows:
Thus, rais'd beneath its Parent Tree is seen
The Laurel Shoot, while, in its early Green,
Thick-sprouting Leaves and Branches are essay'd,
And all the Promise of a future Shade.
Or, blooming thus, in happy Pæstan Fields,
One common Stock two Lovely Roses yields;
Mature by Vernal Dews, This dares display
Its Leaves full-blown, and boldly meets the Day;
That, folded in its tender Nonage lies,
A beauteous Bud, nor yet admits the Skies.
