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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Advice to a Prince. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Advice to a Prince.
Dear Youth, if Fortune on the Parthian Throne
Had fix'd thy Lot: if from the great Arsaces
Descended lineally, and much rever'd
Far thro' the distant East, the bright Tiara
Shone round thy Brows; then might thy princely Rank
And high Extraction render Thee secure,
Tho' wantoning in slothful Luxury.
Had fix'd thy Lot: if from the great Arsaces
Descended lineally, and much rever'd
Far thro' the distant East, the bright Tiara
Shone round thy Brows; then might thy princely Rank
And high Extraction render Thee secure,
Tho' wantoning in slothful Luxury.
But diff'rent much the Case of those that wield
The Roman Scepter: Virtue, here, not Blood,
Must fix thy Fame: when exercis'd by Power
'Tis then most great, most useful to Mankind.
The Roman Scepter: Virtue, here, not Blood,
Must fix thy Fame: when exercis'd by Power
'Tis then most great, most useful to Mankind.
Tho' thy wide stretch'd Dominions should extend
To India's utmost Bounds, tho' down to Thee
The Mede, the Arab, and the Persian bow,
If thy Desires are wicked, if by Fear
Or Anger Thou art sway'd, Thou'rt but a Slave;
And in thy Breast shalt feel the Tyrant's Pow'r.
Then only art Thou fit to wield the Scepter,
When Thou canst rule Thyself. Vice still proceeds
From bad to worse: Licentiousness leads on
To Luxury, and that to lawless Lust.
Most difficult the Task to practice Chastity,
When the hot Blood boils high; and Anger, then,
But ill advises, when Revenge is near.
Thou, the first Sallies in thy Bosom quell,
Nor e'er be thy Concern what 'tis Thou canst,
But what Thou ought'st to do: and the Regard
Of what is just, let always rule thy Will.
To India's utmost Bounds, tho' down to Thee
The Mede, the Arab, and the Persian bow,
If thy Desires are wicked, if by Fear
Or Anger Thou art sway'd, Thou'rt but a Slave;
And in thy Breast shalt feel the Tyrant's Pow'r.
Then only art Thou fit to wield the Scepter,
When Thou canst rule Thyself. Vice still proceeds
From bad to worse: Licentiousness leads on
To Luxury, and that to lawless Lust.
Most difficult the Task to practice Chastity,
When the hot Blood boils high; and Anger, then,
But ill advises, when Revenge is near.
Thou, the first Sallies in thy Bosom quell,
Nor e'er be thy Concern what 'tis Thou canst,
But what Thou ought'st to do: and the Regard
Of what is just, let always rule thy Will.
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But this I o'er and o'er again advise,
That Thou remember Providence has plac'd Thee
In the full Point of Light; where all Thou do'st
By every Nation round Thee is observ'd.
The Faults of Princes ne'er can be conceal'd:
The Splendor of their elevated Rank
Permits not ought they do to be unknown:
Fame enters their most hidden Privacy,
And searches all the secret Windings out.
That Thou remember Providence has plac'd Thee
In the full Point of Light; where all Thou do'st
By every Nation round Thee is observ'd.
The Faults of Princes ne'er can be conceal'd:
The Splendor of their elevated Rank
Permits not ought they do to be unknown:
Fame enters their most hidden Privacy,
And searches all the secret Windings out.
Be gentle and benevolent to all:
We may in every Excellence beside
By Others be outdone, but Clemency
Exalts and makes us equal to the Gods.
We may in every Excellence beside
By Others be outdone, but Clemency
Exalts and makes us equal to the Gods.
Act not a double Part, nor, false Thyself,
Give Ear to Rumours; for who-e'er does so,
Shall be affrighted at each idle Noise,
And, never, never know an Hour's Peace.
Whom Men at Arms and glittering Spears surround,
Is much less safe than he that Love defends:
But Love can ne'er be forc'd:—This, mutual Trust,
This, kind and gracious Acts alone, procure.
Give Ear to Rumours; for who-e'er does so,
Shall be affrighted at each idle Noise,
And, never, never know an Hour's Peace.
Whom Men at Arms and glittering Spears surround,
Is much less safe than he that Love defends:
But Love can ne'er be forc'd:—This, mutual Trust,
This, kind and gracious Acts alone, procure.
Whom all his People fear, himself much more
Must be afraid: a Fate for Tyrants fit.
Let such with Envy persecute all those
Whom Fame speaks well of, and destroy the Brave.
With Swords and Poisons let them live encompass'd,
Immur'd in Tow'rs, and trembling while they threat.
But Thou a Citizen, a Father be;
The general Good consulting, not thine own,
Still, still prefer the Public to Thyself.
Must be afraid: a Fate for Tyrants fit.
Let such with Envy persecute all those
Whom Fame speaks well of, and destroy the Brave.
With Swords and Poisons let them live encompass'd,
Immur'd in Tow'rs, and trembling while they threat.
But Thou a Citizen, a Father be;
The general Good consulting, not thine own,
Still, still prefer the Public to Thyself.
If Thou wouldst have thine Edicts well observ'd,
Obey them first Thyself: the People, then,
With Readiness comply, when the Law-maker,
Himself, they find, observant of the Laws.
Example in a King is all in all:
The Statues of the Realm, serve less to form
His Subjects Manners, than the Life he leads:
For still the changeful Vulgar ape their Prince.—
Obey them first Thyself: the People, then,
With Readiness comply, when the Law-maker,
Himself, they find, observant of the Laws.
Example in a King is all in all:
The Statues of the Realm, serve less to form
His Subjects Manners, than the Life he leads:
For still the changeful Vulgar ape their Prince.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |