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 |
 | I. |
|
|
| II. |
|
Night.
|
|
|
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Night.
See Enchantress.
—The rosy Sun in western Waves
(The Day declining) plung'd his weary Car,
And brought returning Night.—
(The Day declining) plung'd his weary Car,
And brought returning Night.—
Low in the West the setting Sun was laid,
Up rose the Night with glitt'ring Stars array'd,
And silver Cynthia cast a lengthning Shade.—
Up rose the Night with glitt'ring Stars array'd,
And silver Cynthia cast a lengthning Shade.—
Mean while the Hemisphere rolls round, and Night
Swift rushes from the Sea: in dusky Shade
Involving Earth, and Heav'n.—
Swift rushes from the Sea: in dusky Shade
Involving Earth, and Heav'n.—
Now the descending Sun roll'd down the Light,
The Hills lie cover'd in the Shades of Night.—
The Hills lie cover'd in the Shades of Night.—
Now Night had shed her silver Dews around,
And with her sable Wings embrac'd the Ground.—
And with her sable Wings embrac'd the Ground.—
And now the dewy Night is hast'ning swift
From Heav'n: and setting Stars perswade to Sleep.
From Heav'n: and setting Stars perswade to Sleep.
The Moon now rising, in her stately Car
With Dew besprinkled, did the Sun succeed;
And o'er the silent World her Round began.
Nor Beast, nor Bird is heard: ev'n carking Care
Sleep overcomes; as, nodding, thro' the Skies
On Earth it falls, and every where bestows
A sweet Forgetfulness of Labours past.—
With Dew besprinkled, did the Sun succeed;
And o'er the silent World her Round began.
Nor Beast, nor Bird is heard: ev'n carking Care
Sleep overcomes; as, nodding, thro' the Skies
On Earth it falls, and every where bestows
A sweet Forgetfulness of Labours past.—
'Twas now the Season, when the first Repose,
Sweet Gift of Gods, on weary Mortals creep.—
Sweet Gift of Gods, on weary Mortals creep.—
Sunk in the western Ocean was the Day:
And dewy Night shed from her azure Car,
Repose, and Slumber, o'er the weary World.—
And dewy Night shed from her azure Car,
Repose, and Slumber, o'er the weary World.—
'Twas Night, when ev'ry Creature void of Cares,
The common Gift of balmy Slumber shares.—
The common Gift of balmy Slumber shares.—
147
Now Night her Coursers to her Chariot joins,
Whilst all the starry shining Train advance,
And round their Mother's Wheels in Chorus dance:
Then follows silent Sleep, with dusky Wings
Involv'd, and fleeting Midnight Visions brings.—
Whilst all the starry shining Train advance,
And round their Mother's Wheels in Chorus dance:
Then follows silent Sleep, with dusky Wings
Involv'd, and fleeting Midnight Visions brings.—
'Twas Night, and weary Nature lull'd asleep
The Birds, and Beasts, and Fishes of the Deep,
And every Creature else.—
The Birds, and Beasts, and Fishes of the Deep,
And every Creature else.—
Deep Silence reign'd: Arctophylax had driv'n
His lazy Wain half round the northern Heav'n.—
His lazy Wain half round the northern Heav'n.—
'Twas now the Mid of Night, when Slumbers close
Our Eyes, and sooth our Cares with soft Repose.—
Our Eyes, and sooth our Cares with soft Repose.—
'Twas dead of Night, when weary Bodies close
Their Eyes in balmy Sleep, and sweet Repose:
The Winds no longer whisper thro' the Woods,
Nor murm'ring Tides disturb the gentle Floods:
The Stars in silent Order mov'd around,
And Peace, with downy Wings, was brooding o'er the Ground.
The Flocks, and Herds, and parti-colour'd Fowl,
Which haunt the Woods, or swim the weedy Pool,
Stretch'd on the quiet Earth securely lay,
Forgetting the past Labours of the Day.—
Their Eyes in balmy Sleep, and sweet Repose:
The Winds no longer whisper thro' the Woods,
Nor murm'ring Tides disturb the gentle Floods:
The Stars in silent Order mov'd around,
And Peace, with downy Wings, was brooding o'er the Ground.
The Flocks, and Herds, and parti-colour'd Fowl,
Which haunt the Woods, or swim the weedy Pool,
Stretch'd on the quiet Earth securely lay,
Forgetting the past Labours of the Day.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |