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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Retreat.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
303
Retreat.
See Flight.
Turnus , retreating, from the Fight withdrawsBy slow Degrees: and to that Part retires,
Which by the ambient River's Stream is wash'd.
The more the shouting Trojans urge him close,
And thick'ning onwards rush. As when a Band
Of Hunters press and gore with pointed Spears
A savage Lion: He appal'd gives Way,
With Aspect stern, and makes a sour Retreat:
Courage and Rage permit him not to turn
His Back: Nor does his Strength suffice to leap
(Tho' fain he would) against the Darts, and Foes.
So Turnus backward with slow Paces moves,
Dubious of Thought, and all with Fury burns.
Ev'n then the Centre of the hostile Troops
He twice attack'd, twice drove them on the Walls
Confus'd in hasty Flight. But all at once
On Him alone their Forces from the Tents
United press:—He therefore, with his Shield,
And Arms, unable to support the Shock,
Stands panting, with such Storms of Darts o'erwhelm'd
On ev'ry Side: his hollow Temples round
With oft repeated Blows his Helmet rings,
Batter'd with Stones, and flatten'd to his Head:
It's Crest struck off: Nor does his Target's Orb
Suffice against the Strokes: The Trojans thick,
With thund'ring Mnestheus at their Head, push on.
Then Sweat in Rivers o'er his Body flows:
He faints with Toil, stagg'ring he gasps for Breath:
And the vast Labour shakes his weary Limbs.
At length into the River's yellow Waves,
Plunging himself, he leaps with all his Arms:
The gentle Stream receives him, as he falls,
In it's soft Lap: and, washing off the Blood,
Wafts him exulting to rejoin his Friends.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |