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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Effeminacy.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
283
Effeminacy.
See Sloth.
You, clad in shining Purple, and in Vests
With long luxuriant Sleeves, indulge your Sloth:
Dances are your Delight, and broider'd Robes:
And Ribbons bind your Bonnets to your Chin.—
With long luxuriant Sleeves, indulge your Sloth:
Dances are your Delight, and broider'd Robes:
And Ribbons bind your Bonnets to your Chin.—
Alcinous' idle Youth, whose sole Design
Aim'd at soft Blandishments, and dressing fine,
At Ease, indulg'd, and slept out half the Day,
And lull'd their Cares with Dancing, Songs, and Play.—
Aim'd at soft Blandishments, and dressing fine,
At Ease, indulg'd, and slept out half the Day,
And lull'd their Cares with Dancing, Songs, and Play.—
What will not Others do, when Thou so thin
Art clad, that thro' the Silk we see thy Skin?
How stare the People such a Judge to see,
But more to hear thee rail at Harlotry?
—Fabulla is, you say
A Whore;—I own it:—so's Carfinia:
Rank Prostitutes! therefore without Remorse,
Punish the Strumpets: give the Law it's Course:
But when on them You've pass'd your Sentence, know,
They'd blush to be so loosely drest as You.
You say the Dog-Star reigns, whose sultry Fire
Melts You to Death, e'en in that light Attire:
Go naked then, 'twere better to be mad,
(Which has a Privilege) than so lewdly clad.
How would our Mountain Sires return'd from Plow,
Or Battle, such a silken Judge allow?—
Art clad, that thro' the Silk we see thy Skin?
How stare the People such a Judge to see,
But more to hear thee rail at Harlotry?
—Fabulla is, you say
A Whore;—I own it:—so's Carfinia:
Rank Prostitutes! therefore without Remorse,
Punish the Strumpets: give the Law it's Course:
But when on them You've pass'd your Sentence, know,
They'd blush to be so loosely drest as You.
You say the Dog-Star reigns, whose sultry Fire
Melts You to Death, e'en in that light Attire:
Go naked then, 'twere better to be mad,
(Which has a Privilege) than so lewdly clad.
How would our Mountain Sires return'd from Plow,
Or Battle, such a silken Judge allow?—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |