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. |
|
|
|
Palace of the Sun. |
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Palace of the Sun.
The Sun's bright Palace, on high Columns rais'd,With burnish'd Gold, and flaming Rubies blaz'd:
The Roof with polish'd Iv'ry was inlaid,
The folding Doors a silver Light display'd.
Rich was the Ground on which the Work was wrought,
But far inferior to the Workman's Thought:
For in the Portal was display'd on high,
(The Work of Vulcan) a fictitious Sky:
A waving Sea th' inferior Earth embrac'd,
And Gods and Goddesses the Waters grac'd.
Ægeon here a mighty Whale bestrode:
Triton, and Proteus, (the deceiving God)
With Doris here were carv'd, and all her Train:
Some loosely swimming in the figur'd Main,
While some on Rocks their dropping Hair divide,
And some on Fishes thro' the Waters glide.
Tho' various Features did the Sisters grace,
A Sister's Likeness was in ev'ry Face.
On Earth a different Prospect courts the Eyes,
Men, Towns, and Beasts in distant Prospect rise,
And Nymphs, and Streams, and Woods, and rural Deities.
415
And on each Gate are six refulgent Signs.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |