An essay Upon the Third Punique War. Lib. I. and II To which are added Theodosius's Advice to his Son. And the phenix; Out of Claudian. By T. R. [i.e. Thomas Ross] |
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THEODOSIUS His ADVICE to his Son |
 | An essay Upon the Third Punique War. Lib. I. and II |  |
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THEODOSIUS His ADVICE to his Son
Had Fortune plac'd Thee on the Parthian Throne,
(Dear Youth) and far, i'th East, ador'd, alone,
The rude Tiara crown'd thy' Arsacian Brow,
Thy high Descent might then suffice, and thou
Secur'd by Birth, might'st in thy Pleasures flow.
But Rome's great Court, will no such Princes know.
There not in Blood, but Vertue, thou must shine,
And, to that Vertue, noble Actions join;
Which hid, is vile: for, what can it produce,
In darkness drown'd? like Ships, that want the use
Of Helmes; or Lutes without their Strings, or Bows
Unbent. Yet this, who e'r Himself not knows,
Nor can the Passions, of the Mind, allay,
Shall ne'r obtain. To it's a rugged way.
(Dear Youth) and far, i'th East, ador'd, alone,
The rude Tiara crown'd thy' Arsacian Brow,
Thy high Descent might then suffice, and thou
Secur'd by Birth, might'st in thy Pleasures flow.
But Rome's great Court, will no such Princes know.
There not in Blood, but Vertue, thou must shine,
And, to that Vertue, noble Actions join;
Which hid, is vile: for, what can it produce,
In darkness drown'd? like Ships, that want the use
Of Helmes; or Lutes without their Strings, or Bows
Unbent. Yet this, who e'r Himself not knows,
Nor can the Passions, of the Mind, allay,
Shall ne'r obtain. To it's a rugged way.
Learn what Man is; when his Ætherial Flame
Prometheus mix'd with Earth, our Parts to frame,
Sincere, as when from Heav'n He stole't, the Mind,
Struggling for liberty, He kept confin'd;
And, when Things Mortal, nothing could compose,
Two more He added: with the Body those
Perish, but, this survives, when they are dead,
And upward flies. Her Empire's in the Head,
Where all Our Actions she directs and guides.
Their station's lower, which the Neck divides
From Hers. Where They her Dictates entertain,
And, that Things Sacred, might not with Prophane
Be mix'd, the Workman gave, to every part,
Its place, distinct. Anger, the Bloodlike Heart
Within the Brest maintains, as fill'd with Fire,
It swells, when headlong Rage, or mad Desire
Of Mischief, it inflames; when chill'd, with Fear,
It self contracts; but, when 'twas found to bear
All things, with violence, and rest deny
To the whole Frame, the Lungs a moist supply
Of Air, yield to the liquid Flames, and, so
The swelling Fibres, through soft Conduits, flow.
Prometheus mix'd with Earth, our Parts to frame,
Sincere, as when from Heav'n He stole't, the Mind,
Struggling for liberty, He kept confin'd;
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Two more He added: with the Body those
Perish, but, this survives, when they are dead,
And upward flies. Her Empire's in the Head,
Where all Our Actions she directs and guides.
Their station's lower, which the Neck divides
From Hers. Where They her Dictates entertain,
And, that Things Sacred, might not with Prophane
Be mix'd, the Workman gave, to every part,
Its place, distinct. Anger, the Bloodlike Heart
Within the Brest maintains, as fill'd with Fire,
It swells, when headlong Rage, or mad Desire
Of Mischief, it inflames; when chill'd, with Fear,
It self contracts; but, when 'twas found to bear
All things, with violence, and rest deny
To the whole Frame, the Lungs a moist supply
Of Air, yield to the liquid Flames, and, so
The swelling Fibres, through soft Conduits, flow.
But, weighing nought, all coveting, desire
Is forc'd into the Liver to retire,
And lower Tracts. Where, when she opens, wide,
Her Monstrous Jaws, she can be satisfi'd
With no supplies. Sometimes, she's wrack'd with cares
Of Avarice: sometimes the Wounds she bears
Of burning Love: sometimes her Joys o'rflow,
And then, oppress'd with grief, the streams as low.
Then satisfi'd, again, doth higher rise
Like Hydra slain, which Death with Strength supplies.
But, whosoe'r these Tumults can controul,
Gives a safe Temple to the Purest Soul.
Though thou command the farthest Indian Shore,
Though Medes, soft Arabs, Serians thee adore:
If Anger sway thee, base Desires, or Fear,
Thou art a Slave: within thy Self shalt bear
Unequal Laws: Thou, then, of Right, maist bring
All, to thy Rule, when of thy Self, thou'rt King.
'Tis Custom makes Us prone to Sin, and We
To all the Charms, of rein-less Luxury,
By licence, yield: 'tis Conquest to be chast
When Venus tempts thee. Or when Wrong is plac'd
Before thee, to suppress thy Rage. But these
Dire Tumults, wisely, in thy self appease;
Nor what thou maist, but, what becomes thee, do,
And teach thy thoughts, Things Honest to pursue.
Is forc'd into the Liver to retire,
And lower Tracts. Where, when she opens, wide,
Her Monstrous Jaws, she can be satisfi'd
With no supplies. Sometimes, she's wrack'd with cares
Of Avarice: sometimes the Wounds she bears
Of burning Love: sometimes her Joys o'rflow,
And then, oppress'd with grief, the streams as low.
Then satisfi'd, again, doth higher rise
Like Hydra slain, which Death with Strength supplies.
But, whosoe'r these Tumults can controul,
Gives a safe Temple to the Purest Soul.
Though thou command the farthest Indian Shore,
Though Medes, soft Arabs, Serians thee adore:
If Anger sway thee, base Desires, or Fear,
Thou art a Slave: within thy Self shalt bear
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All, to thy Rule, when of thy Self, thou'rt King.
'Tis Custom makes Us prone to Sin, and We
To all the Charms, of rein-less Luxury,
By licence, yield: 'tis Conquest to be chast
When Venus tempts thee. Or when Wrong is plac'd
Before thee, to suppress thy Rage. But these
Dire Tumults, wisely, in thy self appease;
Nor what thou maist, but, what becomes thee, do,
And teach thy thoughts, Things Honest to pursue.
But above All, think, oft, on this; That thou
Liv'st in the midst of all the World, and how
Thy Actions to all People are reveal'd.
A Princes Vices never are conceald.
For their high Fate discovers all they do,
And busie Fame explores, and pries, into
Their most reserv'd Retreats. Let Piety
Be thy chief Care; for though We' inferiour be
In all we do, yet Piety, alone,
Can make Us like the gods. Jealous of none
Nor doubtful be, but, Constant to thy Friends;
Not greedy of Reports; who e'r attends
Such Vanities, shall empty Rumors fear,
And, in Himself, be wrack'd with anxious Care.
Liv'st in the midst of all the World, and how
Thy Actions to all People are reveal'd.
A Princes Vices never are conceald.
For their high Fate discovers all they do,
And busie Fame explores, and pries, into
Their most reserv'd Retreats. Let Piety
Be thy chief Care; for though We' inferiour be
In all we do, yet Piety, alone,
Can make Us like the gods. Jealous of none
Nor doubtful be, but, Constant to thy Friends;
Not greedy of Reports; who e'r attends
Such Vanities, shall empty Rumors fear,
And, in Himself, be wrack'd with anxious Care.
No Strength of Guards, nor Rings of Piles can prove
So safe to Thee, as will the Peoples Love:
Which Thou shalt never force. Thy Kindness must
Create this in them, and, a Mutual Trust
Thou seest the Worlds fair Frame it self entire
Preserves, by Love. The Elements conspire,
Kindly, among themselves. His Tract the Sun
Still keeps. The Sea, within its shores, doth run:
And th'Aire, by which Earth's compast, and upheld,
Nor presseth on its Burthen, nor doth yield.
Tyrants, who Terrors give, fear more: They still
The Famous envy, and the Valiant kill.
Though Swords and Poison guard them, no Retreat
To them seems safe, they tremble, while they threat.
So safe to Thee, as will the Peoples Love:
Which Thou shalt never force. Thy Kindness must
Create this in them, and, a Mutual Trust
Thou seest the Worlds fair Frame it self entire
Preserves, by Love. The Elements conspire,
Kindly, among themselves. His Tract the Sun
Still keeps. The Sea, within its shores, doth run:
And th'Aire, by which Earth's compast, and upheld,
Nor presseth on its Burthen, nor doth yield.
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The Famous envy, and the Valiant kill.
Though Swords and Poison guard them, no Retreat
To them seems safe, they tremble, while they threat.
Like a Good Patriot, and a Father All
Advise not for thy self; and, what they call
The Publick Good, prefer before thine own.
If a Decree thou publish, to be known
As sacred, first observe thine own command;
The People will submit, and ne'r withstand
A Law, whose Author, first, Himself obeys.
A King's Example, all his Kingdom sways.
His Life, more than Edicts, upon the Minds
Of Men prevails; and, as the Vulgar finds
Him change, they follow. But when this is done,
Slight none beneath Thee; nor desire to run
Beyond the Bounds to man prescrib'd; for Pride
Like a black cloud, the brightest parts will hide.
Advise not for thy self; and, what they call
The Publick Good, prefer before thine own.
If a Decree thou publish, to be known
As sacred, first observe thine own command;
The People will submit, and ne'r withstand
A Law, whose Author, first, Himself obeys.
A King's Example, all his Kingdom sways.
His Life, more than Edicts, upon the Minds
Of Men prevails; and, as the Vulgar finds
Him change, they follow. But when this is done,
Slight none beneath Thee; nor desire to run
Beyond the Bounds to man prescrib'd; for Pride
Like a black cloud, the brightest parts will hide.
We give Thee not Sabeans, apt to be
Enslav'd. Nor the Armenian Monarchy,
Nor the Assyrian (once a Womans) Throne.
Thou Romans must command: who, long, alone
Have rul'd the Universe: who nor the Pride
Of Tarquins, nor would Cæsar's Laws abide;
Our Annals ancient Crimes record, whose stains
Eternal are. What Age the Monstrous Reigns,
Of the Cæsarean House, will not abhor?
Who knows not Nero's cruel Murthers? or
The horrid Caprean Grotto, by an old
Incestuous Man possest. Thou mayst behold
Great Trajan-still, Immortal, in his Fame;
Not that, with Conquest, He from Tigris came,
And Parthia made our Province: Or, that He
In Triumph, for his Dacian Victory,
Entred the Capitol; but, that his Mind
Was Equal still, and to his Countrey kind.
Enslav'd. Nor the Armenian Monarchy,
Nor the Assyrian (once a Womans) Throne.
Thou Romans must command: who, long, alone
Have rul'd the Universe: who nor the Pride
Of Tarquins, nor would Cæsar's Laws abide;
Our Annals ancient Crimes record, whose stains
Eternal are. What Age the Monstrous Reigns,
Of the Cæsarean House, will not abhor?
Who knows not Nero's cruel Murthers? or
The horrid Caprean Grotto, by an old
Incestuous Man possest. Thou mayst behold
55
Not that, with Conquest, He from Tigris came,
And Parthia made our Province: Or, that He
In Triumph, for his Dacian Victory,
Entred the Capitol; but, that his Mind
Was Equal still, and to his Countrey kind.
Such Great Examples (my dear Son) be sure
To follow; and, when call'd to war, inure
Thy Troops to labour, and for sharpest fights
Prepare; let not the Ease, or warm delights
Of Winter Quarters, thy unactive Hands
Un-nerve: but, in some wholesome place, thy Bands
Encamp, and with strong Guards, thy Line defend.
Learn when to close thy Ranks, when to extend
Thy equal Wings, and them to close again.
What Troops are fit for Hills, what for the Plain.
What Valleys apt for Ambush; what wayes are
Most difficult: And if the Foe the war
Within their Walls maintain, for battery strait
Prepare, and let thy Rams the massie weight
Of stones roll down; the arm'd Testudo shake
Their Gates; the lab'ring youth their passage make
Through secret Mines. If a long Siege delay
Thy hopes, let not secure Conceits betray
Thy Conquest, or believe them close block'd in;
Many by Careless Mirth have ruin'd bin.
Straggling they've perish'd, and while Ease they enjoy'd,
Oft Victory hath guardless Troops destroy'd.
Let not thy Tents be fill'd with the delight
Of Courts; nor let arm'd Luxury invite
Soft Ministers of Lust, still to attend
Thy Ensigns; nor be careful to defend
Thy self from Winds and Rain, nor seek to shun
With rich Umbrello's, the too furious Sun.
Eat what thou ready find'st; thy self apply
To constant exercice. Be foremost, high,
Steep Mountains to ascend; nor think it shame
To take an Axe in hand, when need shall claim
A Wood be fell'd. If thou'rt to pass a Moor,
Or Lake, on Horse-back, first, the depth explore.
O'r frozen Rivers let thy Chariot go
The foremost; first swim over those that flow.
When hors'd, through Troops of Horse charge, boldly, when
A-foot, the Foot assist; all danger then
Will glorious, and grateful seem, when thou
Art present, and, shalt each brave deed allow.
To follow; and, when call'd to war, inure
Thy Troops to labour, and for sharpest fights
Prepare; let not the Ease, or warm delights
Of Winter Quarters, thy unactive Hands
Un-nerve: but, in some wholesome place, thy Bands
Encamp, and with strong Guards, thy Line defend.
Learn when to close thy Ranks, when to extend
Thy equal Wings, and them to close again.
What Troops are fit for Hills, what for the Plain.
What Valleys apt for Ambush; what wayes are
Most difficult: And if the Foe the war
Within their Walls maintain, for battery strait
Prepare, and let thy Rams the massie weight
Of stones roll down; the arm'd Testudo shake
Their Gates; the lab'ring youth their passage make
Through secret Mines. If a long Siege delay
Thy hopes, let not secure Conceits betray
Thy Conquest, or believe them close block'd in;
Many by Careless Mirth have ruin'd bin.
Straggling they've perish'd, and while Ease they enjoy'd,
Oft Victory hath guardless Troops destroy'd.
Let not thy Tents be fill'd with the delight
Of Courts; nor let arm'd Luxury invite
Soft Ministers of Lust, still to attend
Thy Ensigns; nor be careful to defend
Thy self from Winds and Rain, nor seek to shun
With rich Umbrello's, the too furious Sun.
56
To constant exercice. Be foremost, high,
Steep Mountains to ascend; nor think it shame
To take an Axe in hand, when need shall claim
A Wood be fell'd. If thou'rt to pass a Moor,
Or Lake, on Horse-back, first, the depth explore.
O'r frozen Rivers let thy Chariot go
The foremost; first swim over those that flow.
When hors'd, through Troops of Horse charge, boldly, when
A-foot, the Foot assist; all danger then
Will glorious, and grateful seem, when thou
Art present, and, shalt each brave deed allow.
But, I thy early Inclinations know,
Be not too hasty, thou wilt stronger grow.
As yet not ten years old, thou dost aspire,
To what ev'n men may dread, I see the Fire,
The Marks of thy great Soul. 'Tis told by Fame,
That the brave youth, who Porus overcame,
'Midst his Companions joys, wept, when he heard
His Father's frequent Victories, and fear'd
Great Philip's prosp'rous Valour, nought would leave
To him for future Conquest. I perceive
Like Motions in thee, and, may divine
(A Father may) thou wilt, hereafter, shine
As Great, as He; nor to my Favour owe
That Empire, which thy Innate Worth may so
Deserv'dly claim. So, when the painted Spring
Appears, the murm'ring Bees their growing King,
Who must conduct them to the Fields, adore;
Their Publick Laws for Hony, and, for store
In Combs, observe. So, a young Bull, whose Horns
Are yet scarce firm the Pasture claims, and scorns
A Rival in the Heard. But war forbear,
Till riper years, and, with thy Brother, here,
(While I'm engag'd) my place secure; you may
Teach unsubdu'd Araxis to obey,
And swift Euphrates. Yours all Nile may be,
With whatsoe'r the Rising Sun doth see.
But, if the Alps we pass, and our good Cause
Have like success, that Warlike France thy Laws
May hear, and Spain, obey thy just Command,
Thou then shalt come, and, I, into thy Hand,
Will all my Conquests put. Then, then may I,
Secure of Fate, pleas'd with my labours, die:
While you both Poles may rule. Mean time, among
The Muses still thy self employ, while young,
And read what thou may'st imitate, converse
With Greece, and Rome's Antiquities; discourse
The Acts of ancient Captains, and apply
Thy thoughts to future war; on Italy
As 'twas of old reflect; if thou aspire
To a forc'd Liberty, Brutus admire;
If Treachery thou hat'st, thou will't approve
Of Metius torture. If thou do'st not love
Too great severity, thou wilt detest
Torquatus Act. If a vow'd death seem best.
The Decii, running into dangers, you
Will reverence. What one brave Man may do,
Cocles, on Tyber's broken Bridge, alone,
Engag'd, and, Mutius burning Hand have shown.
From Fabius learn th'Effects, of wise delay.
What in distress'd affairs, good Conduct may
Perform, Camillus slaughter of the Gauls
Declares. Hence know, whatever chance befalls,
True Merit still excels. The cruelty
Of Carthage gives Eternal Fame to thee
Great Regulus. Had Cato had success,
The Glory of his suffrings had been less.
Observe what sober Poverty may do,
Curius was poor, when Kings he overthrew.
Fabritius poor, when he scorn'd Pyrrhus gold.
Nor did Serranus think it shame, to hold
The dirty Plough, when a Dictator, and
(His humble Cottage view'd) the Lictor's hand
Fix'd to the Willow Posts, his Fasces. There
The Harvests by a Consul gather'd were.
And the rude Fallows (to advance their Rate)
Till'd by a Ploughman, in his Robes of State.
Be not too hasty, thou wilt stronger grow.
As yet not ten years old, thou dost aspire,
To what ev'n men may dread, I see the Fire,
The Marks of thy great Soul. 'Tis told by Fame,
That the brave youth, who Porus overcame,
'Midst his Companions joys, wept, when he heard
His Father's frequent Victories, and fear'd
Great Philip's prosp'rous Valour, nought would leave
To him for future Conquest. I perceive
Like Motions in thee, and, may divine
(A Father may) thou wilt, hereafter, shine
As Great, as He; nor to my Favour owe
That Empire, which thy Innate Worth may so
Deserv'dly claim. So, when the painted Spring
Appears, the murm'ring Bees their growing King,
Who must conduct them to the Fields, adore;
Their Publick Laws for Hony, and, for store
In Combs, observe. So, a young Bull, whose Horns
Are yet scarce firm the Pasture claims, and scorns
A Rival in the Heard. But war forbear,
Till riper years, and, with thy Brother, here,
57
Teach unsubdu'd Araxis to obey,
And swift Euphrates. Yours all Nile may be,
With whatsoe'r the Rising Sun doth see.
But, if the Alps we pass, and our good Cause
Have like success, that Warlike France thy Laws
May hear, and Spain, obey thy just Command,
Thou then shalt come, and, I, into thy Hand,
Will all my Conquests put. Then, then may I,
Secure of Fate, pleas'd with my labours, die:
While you both Poles may rule. Mean time, among
The Muses still thy self employ, while young,
And read what thou may'st imitate, converse
With Greece, and Rome's Antiquities; discourse
The Acts of ancient Captains, and apply
Thy thoughts to future war; on Italy
As 'twas of old reflect; if thou aspire
To a forc'd Liberty, Brutus admire;
If Treachery thou hat'st, thou will't approve
Of Metius torture. If thou do'st not love
Too great severity, thou wilt detest
Torquatus Act. If a vow'd death seem best.
58
Will reverence. What one brave Man may do,
Cocles, on Tyber's broken Bridge, alone,
Engag'd, and, Mutius burning Hand have shown.
From Fabius learn th'Effects, of wise delay.
What in distress'd affairs, good Conduct may
Perform, Camillus slaughter of the Gauls
Declares. Hence know, whatever chance befalls,
True Merit still excels. The cruelty
Of Carthage gives Eternal Fame to thee
Great Regulus. Had Cato had success,
The Glory of his suffrings had been less.
59
Curius was poor, when Kings he overthrew.
Fabritius poor, when he scorn'd Pyrrhus gold.
Nor did Serranus think it shame, to hold
The dirty Plough, when a Dictator, and
(His humble Cottage view'd) the Lictor's hand
Fix'd to the Willow Posts, his Fasces. There
The Harvests by a Consul gather'd were.
And the rude Fallows (to advance their Rate)
Till'd by a Ploughman, in his Robes of State.
Thus your great Father, like an Aged Guide
Of some tall Ship, by many Winters try'd
With various storms, of the Sea weary grown,
And Age, commends the Helm unto his Son.
Shews him all dangers, and his Arts: What Star
The right-hand guides: How swelling Billows are
By steerage, to be shun'd: The Signs of Rain,
The treachery of clear Skies: When to the Main
The Sun descends, what will ensue: What Wind
Disturbs the Moon, and makes her Face unkind.
But now, great Prince, wherever thou do'st shine,
Whether the South, or Northern Heav'n be thine,
See thy desire fulfill'd; thy Noble Deeds
Thy Son not only equals, but exceeds.
Of some tall Ship, by many Winters try'd
With various storms, of the Sea weary grown,
And Age, commends the Helm unto his Son.
Shews him all dangers, and his Arts: What Star
The right-hand guides: How swelling Billows are
By steerage, to be shun'd: The Signs of Rain,
The treachery of clear Skies: When to the Main
The Sun descends, what will ensue: What Wind
Disturbs the Moon, and makes her Face unkind.
But now, great Prince, wherever thou do'st shine,
Whether the South, or Northern Heav'n be thine,
See thy desire fulfill'd; thy Noble Deeds
Thy Son not only equals, but exceeds.
Tiberius Cæsar, retired to Capreæ, a little Island in Campania, where he acted many cruel Murthers and abominable Lusts.
Metius Suffetius by the Command of King Hostilius, was fastned to two Chariots, and torn in pieces; for that when he should have assisted him against his enemies, he only looked on, resolving to side with the Conquerour.
Tit. Manlius Torquatus, who slew his Son for fighting without his Order, though he had the Victory, and brought the spoils of the Enemy to his Father, who crown'd him for his Victory, and then beheaded him for his Error.
The Decii were a Noble Family in Rome, three whereof successively vowed Themselves to Death, for their Countrey.
Mutius Scævola, who having vowed to kill Porsenna, then besieging Rome, and killing another instead of him, burn'd his right hand for the mistake, in presence of Porsenna; who admiring his Courage, and terrifi'd with the Information, that 300 more had vow'd the like, immediately made peace, and rais'd the Siege.
Fabius Maximus the Delayer, who tired out Hannibal, by his Delays of giving Battle; and so reliev'd his Countrey.
Furius Camillus, the Gauls besieging Rome, being then in exile, came upon them suddenly, destroyed their Army, and relieved the City.
Regulus taken prisoner by the Carthaginians, was sent by them to Rome, upon promise, that if he did not obtain such terms of Peace as they desired, he should return to them. When at Rome, he advised them to pursue the war, and returning to Carthage, was cruelly put to death by them. Vid. Sil. Ital. lib. 6.
| An essay Upon the Third Punique War. Lib. I. and II | |