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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Pride.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Pride.
See Boasting.
—Surrounded with a courtly Guard,
The royal Niobè in State appear'd:
Array'd in Robes embroider'd o'er with Gold,
And mad with Rage; yet lovely to behold:
Her beauteous Tresses, o'er her Shoulders spread,
Wav'd with becoming Grace, whene'er she mov'd her Head.
Then, darting round a proud disdainful Look,
In haughty Tone her hasty Passion broke,
And thus began: What Madness this, to court
A Goddess founded merely on Report?
Dare ye Latona's fancy'd Power invoke,
While yet no Altars to my Godhead smoke?—
The royal Niobè in State appear'd:
Array'd in Robes embroider'd o'er with Gold,
And mad with Rage; yet lovely to behold:
Her beauteous Tresses, o'er her Shoulders spread,
Wav'd with becoming Grace, whene'er she mov'd her Head.
Then, darting round a proud disdainful Look,
In haughty Tone her hasty Passion broke,
And thus began: What Madness this, to court
A Goddess founded merely on Report?
277
While yet no Altars to my Godhead smoke?—
Where e'er around I turn my wond'ring Eyes,
My Riches glitter, and my Treasures rise:
Add too, th'unequall'd Beauties of my Face,
Whose Charms celestial might a Goddess grace.
My Happiness beyond all Doubt is fixt,
And with no Tincture of Misfortune mixt:
My Plenty guards me against future Ill,
And spite of Fortune I'll be happy still:
I stand superior to her giddy Power;
For tho' she much may take, she still must leave me more.—
My Riches glitter, and my Treasures rise:
Add too, th'unequall'd Beauties of my Face,
Whose Charms celestial might a Goddess grace.
My Happiness beyond all Doubt is fixt,
And with no Tincture of Misfortune mixt:
My Plenty guards me against future Ill,
And spite of Fortune I'll be happy still:
I stand superior to her giddy Power;
For tho' she much may take, she still must leave me more.—
Narcissus many a blooming Youth caress'd,
And many a Maid her Love for him confess'd:
Yet tho' his Form was soft, his Pride was such,
That Youth, nor Maid, his haughty Heart could touch.
And many a Maid her Love for him confess'd:
Yet tho' his Form was soft, his Pride was such,
That Youth, nor Maid, his haughty Heart could touch.
Whilst the old Frog was gone to range abroad,
An Ox came by, and on her young ones trod.
One 'scap'd, and told her, that a monstrous Beast
Had trampled on her Young, and kill'd the rest.
How large, says she; As large as I am now?
And swells:—Yes, yes, 'twas twice as large as You.
What! larger still? and then she swells again.
Ay, larger much, and you contend in vain:
Forbear your Swelling, for you cannot be,
Tho' you should burst yourself, as large as he.—
An Ox came by, and on her young ones trod.
One 'scap'd, and told her, that a monstrous Beast
Had trampled on her Young, and kill'd the rest.
How large, says she; As large as I am now?
And swells:—Yes, yes, 'twas twice as large as You.
What! larger still? and then she swells again.
Ay, larger much, and you contend in vain:
Forbear your Swelling, for you cannot be,
Tho' you should burst yourself, as large as he.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |