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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Treason.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
451
Treason.
See Treachery.
The Hour was come, when Man's o'erlabour'd Breast
Surceas'd its Care, by downy Sleep possess'd:
All Things now hush'd, Scylla with silent Tread,
Urg'd her Approach to Nisus' royal Bed:
There of the fatal Lock (accursed Theft!)
She her unwitting Father's Head bereft.
Surceas'd its Care, by downy Sleep possess'd:
All Things now hush'd, Scylla with silent Tread,
Urg'd her Approach to Nisus' royal Bed:
There of the fatal Lock (accursed Theft!)
She her unwitting Father's Head bereft.
In safe Possession of her impious Prey,
Out at a Postern Gate she takes her Way:
Embolden'd by the Merit of the Deed,
She traverses the adverse Camp with Speed,
Till Minos' Tent she reach'd: The righteous King
She thus bespoke, who shiver'd at the Thing.
Behold th' Effect of Love's resistless Sway!
I, Nisus' royal Seed, to Thee betray
My Country, and my Gods.—For this strange Task,
Minos, no other Boon but Thee I ask.
This purple Hair, the Pledge of Love, receive,
And with that Hair my Father's Life I give.
Then off'ring to present the guilty Prize,
Minos the Giver and the Gift denies.
Shock'd at a Crime so new, he thus exclaim'd,
With Mein indignant, and with Eyes inflam'd,
Perdition seize Thee, Thou, thy Kind's Disgrace!
May thy devoted Carcass find no Place
In Earth, or Air, or Sea, by all outcast!
Shall Minos with so foul a Monster blast
His Cretan World, where cradled Jove was nurs'd?
Forbid it Heav'n!—away, Thou most accurst!—
Out at a Postern Gate she takes her Way:
Embolden'd by the Merit of the Deed,
She traverses the adverse Camp with Speed,
Till Minos' Tent she reach'd: The righteous King
She thus bespoke, who shiver'd at the Thing.
Behold th' Effect of Love's resistless Sway!
I, Nisus' royal Seed, to Thee betray
My Country, and my Gods.—For this strange Task,
Minos, no other Boon but Thee I ask.
This purple Hair, the Pledge of Love, receive,
And with that Hair my Father's Life I give.
Then off'ring to present the guilty Prize,
Minos the Giver and the Gift denies.
Shock'd at a Crime so new, he thus exclaim'd,
With Mein indignant, and with Eyes inflam'd,
Perdition seize Thee, Thou, thy Kind's Disgrace!
May thy devoted Carcass find no Place
In Earth, or Air, or Sea, by all outcast!
Shall Minos with so foul a Monster blast
His Cretan World, where cradled Jove was nurs'd?
Forbid it Heav'n!—away, Thou most accurst!—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |