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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Patriot.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Patriot.
No Stings of private Hate his Peace molest,
Nor partial Favour grew upon his Breast:
But safe from Prejudice he kept his Mind,
Free, and at Leisure to lament Mankind.
There were the stricter Manners of the Man,
And this the stubborn Course in which they ran:
The golden Mean, unchanging, to pursue:
Constant to keep the purpos'd End in view:
Religiously to follow Nature's Laws,
And die, with Pleasure, in his Country's Cause:
To think he was not for himself design'd,
But born to be of Use to all Mankind.
To him 'twas Feasting, Hunger to repress:
And home-spun Garments were his costly Dress.
No marble Pillars rear'd his Roof on high,
'Twas warm, and kept him from the Winter Sky:
He sought no End of Marriage, but Increase:
Nor wish'd a Pleasure, but his Country's Peace:
That took up all the tend'rest Parts of Life,
His Country was his Children and his Wife.
From Justice' righteous Rules he never swerv'd,
But rigidly his Honesty preserv'd:
On universal Good his Thoughts were bent,
Nor knew what Gain, or Self-affection meant:
And while his Benefits the Publick share,
Cato was always last in Cato's Care.—
Nor partial Favour grew upon his Breast:
But safe from Prejudice he kept his Mind,
Free, and at Leisure to lament Mankind.
There were the stricter Manners of the Man,
And this the stubborn Course in which they ran:
The golden Mean, unchanging, to pursue:
Constant to keep the purpos'd End in view:
Religiously to follow Nature's Laws,
And die, with Pleasure, in his Country's Cause:
203
But born to be of Use to all Mankind.
To him 'twas Feasting, Hunger to repress:
And home-spun Garments were his costly Dress.
No marble Pillars rear'd his Roof on high,
'Twas warm, and kept him from the Winter Sky:
He sought no End of Marriage, but Increase:
Nor wish'd a Pleasure, but his Country's Peace:
That took up all the tend'rest Parts of Life,
His Country was his Children and his Wife.
From Justice' righteous Rules he never swerv'd,
But rigidly his Honesty preserv'd:
On universal Good his Thoughts were bent,
Nor knew what Gain, or Self-affection meant:
And while his Benefits the Publick share,
Cato was always last in Cato's Care.—
His helpless Country like an Orphan left,
Friendless and poor, of all Support bereft,
He took and cherish'd with a Father's Care,
He comforted, he bad her not to fear,
And taught her feeble Hands once more the Trade of War.
Nor Lust of Empire did his Courage sway,
Nor Hate, nor proud Repugnance to obey:
Passions and private Int'rest he forgot:
Nor for himself, but Liberty he fought.—
Friendless and poor, of all Support bereft,
He took and cherish'd with a Father's Care,
He comforted, he bad her not to fear,
And taught her feeble Hands once more the Trade of War.
Nor Lust of Empire did his Courage sway,
Nor Hate, nor proud Repugnance to obey:
Passions and private Int'rest he forgot:
Nor for himself, but Liberty he fought.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |