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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Trees.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Trees.
See Harmony. Place (Pleasant.)
First, Trees by various Propagation grow:
(So Nature has ordain'd: for some unforc'd
By human Industry, spontaneous rise,
In Fields abroad, and shade the winding Streams:
As the soft Sallow, and the flexile Broom,
The Poplar, and grey Willow. Some from Seed:
The lofty Chesnut, and Jove's spreading Esculus,
Supreme of Woods: and Oaks, by Greece esteem'd
Oracular. A num'rous leafy Race
Springs from the Roots of Others: as the Elm,
And Cherry: Thus too sprouts the infant Bay
(Parnassus-born, and by the Muses lov'd,)
Beneath its Parent's more diffusive Shade.
(So Nature has ordain'd: for some unforc'd
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In Fields abroad, and shade the winding Streams:
As the soft Sallow, and the flexile Broom,
The Poplar, and grey Willow. Some from Seed:
The lofty Chesnut, and Jove's spreading Esculus,
Supreme of Woods: and Oaks, by Greece esteem'd
Oracular. A num'rous leafy Race
Springs from the Roots of Others: as the Elm,
And Cherry: Thus too sprouts the infant Bay
(Parnassus-born, and by the Muses lov'd,)
Beneath its Parent's more diffusive Shade.
From Trunks the Olive, from the Arch the Vine
More happy answers: From the solid Stock
The Paphian Myrtle: From the Layer's Slip
The hardy Hazle springs, and the tall Ash:
The shady Tree which binds Alcides' Brows:
Jove's Dodonæan Oak: the lofty Palm,
And Pine for future Storms at Sea reserv'd.—
More happy answers: From the solid Stock
The Paphian Myrtle: From the Layer's Slip
The hardy Hazle springs, and the tall Ash:
The shady Tree which binds Alcides' Brows:
Jove's Dodonæan Oak: the lofty Palm,
And Pine for future Storms at Sea reserv'd.—
—Willows grow
Near Rivers: Alders, in the marshy Lakes:
Barren Wild-Ashes, on the rocky Hills:
The Shores rejoyce in Myrtles: Bacchus loves
The open Mountains: Eughs, the North, and Cold.
Near Rivers: Alders, in the marshy Lakes:
Barren Wild-Ashes, on the rocky Hills:
The Shores rejoyce in Myrtles: Bacchus loves
The open Mountains: Eughs, the North, and Cold.
—By its proper Trees
Each Country is distinguish'd. India sole
Bears Ebony: Sabæa, Incence sweet.
Media the happy Citron bears, of Juice
Pungent, of Taste that dwells upon the Tongue:
Than this no Aid more present (when, in Rage
Of Jealousy, Step-Dames have Draughts infus'd,
And mingled Herbs, and Incantations dire,)
T' expel black Poysons from infected Limbs.
Large is the Tree, and like a Lawrel grows:
And, did it not a diff'rent Scent diffuse,
A Lawrel it would be: no Winds its Leaves
Unfix: Its Blossoms most tenacious grow:
The Medes with this foment their Mouths, correct
Their smelling Breath, and wheezing Sires relieve.—
Each Country is distinguish'd. India sole
Bears Ebony: Sabæa, Incence sweet.
Media the happy Citron bears, of Juice
Pungent, of Taste that dwells upon the Tongue:
Than this no Aid more present (when, in Rage
Of Jealousy, Step-Dames have Draughts infus'd,
And mingled Herbs, and Incantations dire,)
T' expel black Poysons from infected Limbs.
Large is the Tree, and like a Lawrel grows:
And, did it not a diff'rent Scent diffuse,
A Lawrel it would be: no Winds its Leaves
Unfix: Its Blossoms most tenacious grow:
The Medes with this foment their Mouths, correct
Their smelling Breath, and wheezing Sires relieve.—
455
How pleasing to the Sight Cytorus looks,
Flowing in gentle Waves of livid Box!
How soft! how solemn is Naricia's Shade!
Where pitchy Groves the gloomy Skies invade.—
Flowing in gentle Waves of livid Box!
How soft! how solemn is Naricia's Shade!
Where pitchy Groves the gloomy Skies invade.—
Tall Pines for Vessels: for the stately Room
Cypress, and Cedar, with its strong Perfume:
The binding Osier shoots a num'rous Brood:
And Elms for Cattle yield a leafy Food:
For Spears, the Myrtle, and the Cornel grows,
And Parthians bend the Eugh-Tree into Bows.
Nor will the smooth-grain'd Lime, or Box disdain
The rounding Chissel, or the hollowing Plane:
Or the light Alder dread th'impetuous Tide,
But lightly skim the Po, and on its Surges ride.—
Cypress, and Cedar, with its strong Perfume:
The binding Osier shoots a num'rous Brood:
And Elms for Cattle yield a leafy Food:
For Spears, the Myrtle, and the Cornel grows,
And Parthians bend the Eugh-Tree into Bows.
Nor will the smooth-grain'd Lime, or Box disdain
The rounding Chissel, or the hollowing Plane:
Or the light Alder dread th'impetuous Tide,
But lightly skim the Po, and on its Surges ride.—
To Hercules the Poplar is most dear:
The Vine to Bacchus: To the Cyprian Dame
The Myrtle: To Apollo his own Bay.—
The Vine to Bacchus: To the Cyprian Dame
The Myrtle: To Apollo his own Bay.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |