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. |
|
|
|
Sea-Fight.
|
|
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Sea-Fight.
All rush at once: And all the Ocean foamsConvuls'd with dashing Oars, and trident Beaks.
They hoise to Sea: The Cyclades up-torn
You would have thought were floating on the Deep:
Or lofty Hills encount'ring Hills: So huge
The tow'ring Vessels, rigg'd and mann'd for War.
Fire-Balls of Tow, and missile Jav'lins fly:
And recent Gore discolours Neptune's Fields.—
333
Now, Prow to Prow, advance each hostile Fleet,
And want but one concurring Stroke to meet:
Now Peals of Shouts, and mingling Clamours roar,
And drown the brazen Trump, and plunging Oar.
The brushing Pine the frothy Surface plies,
While on the Banks their lusty Rowers rise;
Each brings the Stroke back on his ample Chest,
Then firm upon his Seat he lights represt.
With clashing Beaks the launching Vessels meet,
And from the mutual Shock alike retreat.
Thick Clouds of flying Shafts the Welkin hide,
Then fall, and floating strow the Ocean wide.
At length the stretching Wings their Order leave,
And in the Line the mingling Foe receive.
And want but one concurring Stroke to meet:
Now Peals of Shouts, and mingling Clamours roar,
And drown the brazen Trump, and plunging Oar.
The brushing Pine the frothy Surface plies,
While on the Banks their lusty Rowers rise;
Each brings the Stroke back on his ample Chest,
Then firm upon his Seat he lights represt.
With clashing Beaks the launching Vessels meet,
And from the mutual Shock alike retreat.
Thick Clouds of flying Shafts the Welkin hide,
Then fall, and floating strow the Ocean wide.
At length the stretching Wings their Order leave,
And in the Line the mingling Foe receive.
Some lie, by Chains and Grapplings strong compell'd,
Whilst Others by the tangling Oars are held:
The Seas are hid beneath the closing War,
Nor need they cast the Jav'lin now from far:
With hardy Strokes the Combatants engage,
And with keen Faulchions deal their deadly Rage.
Man against Man, and Board by Board they lie,
And on those Decks their Arms defended, die.
The rolling Surge is stain'd around with Blood,
And foamy Purple swells the rising Flood.—
Whilst Others by the tangling Oars are held:
The Seas are hid beneath the closing War,
Nor need they cast the Jav'lin now from far:
With hardy Strokes the Combatants engage,
And with keen Faulchions deal their deadly Rage.
Man against Man, and Board by Board they lie,
And on those Decks their Arms defended, die.
The rolling Surge is stain'd around with Blood,
And foamy Purple swells the rising Flood.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |