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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Scythian Winter.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Scythian Winter.
In
Scythia's Realms, no Herbage on the Fields,
No Leaves, in Winter, on the Trees are seen:
But Frost, and Ice, and ridgy Heaps of Snow,
Sev'n Ells in Height, deform the Country round.
Eternal Winter reigns, and freezing Winds.
The Sun ne'er dissipates the hazy Gloom:
Not when his Steeds mount upwards to the Sky,
Nor when He washes in the Ocean's Waves,
Red with his Beams, his prone descending Car.
The running Streams to sudden Crusts congeal:
The Water on it's Surface Iron Wheels
Sustains: and Carts are driv'n, where Lighters sail'd.
Brass splits: Their rusling Garments stiffen frore:
With Axes Wine is hewn: To solid Glass
The standing Puddles in the Dykes are turn'd:
And Icicles hang rigid from their Beards.
Nor less, meanwhile, it Snows o'er all the Air:
The Cattle die: The Neat, of bulky Size,
With Frost surrounded stand: The Stags in Droves,
Benumb'd beneath th' unusual Weight, scarce raise
Their Heads, or with their topmost Horns appear.
These the rough Hunters nor with Dogs, nor Toils,
Nor with the Line of crimson Plumes pursue:
But, as in vain they labour with their Breasts,
And push against th' opposing Hills of Snow,
Stab them with Swords, or Spears, in closer Fight,
Braying aloud: And, with a mighty Shout,
Triumphant, carry off the bleeding Prey.
No Leaves, in Winter, on the Trees are seen:
But Frost, and Ice, and ridgy Heaps of Snow,
Sev'n Ells in Height, deform the Country round.
Eternal Winter reigns, and freezing Winds.
The Sun ne'er dissipates the hazy Gloom:
Not when his Steeds mount upwards to the Sky,
Nor when He washes in the Ocean's Waves,
Red with his Beams, his prone descending Car.
The running Streams to sudden Crusts congeal:
The Water on it's Surface Iron Wheels
Sustains: and Carts are driv'n, where Lighters sail'd.
523
With Axes Wine is hewn: To solid Glass
The standing Puddles in the Dykes are turn'd:
And Icicles hang rigid from their Beards.
Nor less, meanwhile, it Snows o'er all the Air:
The Cattle die: The Neat, of bulky Size,
With Frost surrounded stand: The Stags in Droves,
Benumb'd beneath th' unusual Weight, scarce raise
Their Heads, or with their topmost Horns appear.
These the rough Hunters nor with Dogs, nor Toils,
Nor with the Line of crimson Plumes pursue:
But, as in vain they labour with their Breasts,
And push against th' opposing Hills of Snow,
Stab them with Swords, or Spears, in closer Fight,
Braying aloud: And, with a mighty Shout,
Triumphant, carry off the bleeding Prey.
Themselves in low sunk Caverns, under Ground,
Secure, and jovial live: whole Oaks, and Elms,
Roll to the Hearths, and pile them on the Fire:
In Mirth and Jollity protract the Night;
And Beer, and Cyder quaff, instead of Wine.
Such is th' unbroken Race of Men, who live
Beneath the Pole: by rough Riphæan Blasts
For ever buffeted: and with the Skins
And tawny Furs of Beasts their Bodies cloth.—
Such are the Climes beneath the frozen Zone,
Secure, and jovial live: whole Oaks, and Elms,
Roll to the Hearths, and pile them on the Fire:
In Mirth and Jollity protract the Night;
And Beer, and Cyder quaff, instead of Wine.
Such is th' unbroken Race of Men, who live
Beneath the Pole: by rough Riphæan Blasts
For ever buffeted: and with the Skins
And tawny Furs of Beasts their Bodies cloth.—
Where chearless Winter plants her dreary Throne:
No golden Stars their gloomy Heav'ns adorn,
Nor genial Seasons to their Earth return:
But everlasting Ice and Snows appear,
Chill all the Summer's Fires, and curse the barren Year.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |