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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Golden Age Restor'd. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Golden Age Restor'd.
The mighty
Round of Years again revolv'd,
The Virgin now, and Saturn's Reign return:
And a new Offspring from high Heav'n descends.
Beneath thy Sway the Relicks of our Guilt
(If such be still remaining) quite effac'd
Shall from all future Terrors free the World.
Kindly, to Thee, sweet Infant, shall the Earth,
Yield her first Presents, by no Culture forc'd:
The wand'ring Ivy, and soft Violet,
The smiling Crocus, and the blushing Rose.
The Goats spontaneous homewards shall return,
Their Teats with Milk distended: and the Herds
Unterrify'd by monstrous Lions, feed.
The Serpent too shall die: the fraudful Herbs
Of noxious Poison wither, and decay:
And Syrian Spices bloom o'er all the World.
Ripe yellow Harvests on the Fields shall wave,
The savage Brambles blush with pendant Grapes,
And Honey from hard Oaks in Dew distil.
The Sailor shall renounce the Sea; no Ships
Traffick exchange: All Lands shall all Things bear.
No Glebe shall feel the Harrow's Teeth, no Vine
The Pruning hook: The sturdy Village-Hind
Shall then release his Oxen from the Yoke:
Nor chang'd by Art shall various Wool belye
It's native Colour: but in Pastures green
The Ram himself with Purples glossy Hue,
Or Crocus' yellow Teint shall tinge his Fleece:
And unforc'd Crimson cloath the feeding Lambs.—
The Virgin now, and Saturn's Reign return:
And a new Offspring from high Heav'n descends.
Beneath thy Sway the Relicks of our Guilt
(If such be still remaining) quite effac'd
Shall from all future Terrors free the World.
Kindly, to Thee, sweet Infant, shall the Earth,
Yield her first Presents, by no Culture forc'd:
The wand'ring Ivy, and soft Violet,
The smiling Crocus, and the blushing Rose.
The Goats spontaneous homewards shall return,
Their Teats with Milk distended: and the Herds
Unterrify'd by monstrous Lions, feed.
The Serpent too shall die: the fraudful Herbs
Of noxious Poison wither, and decay:
And Syrian Spices bloom o'er all the World.
Ripe yellow Harvests on the Fields shall wave,
The savage Brambles blush with pendant Grapes,
And Honey from hard Oaks in Dew distil.
The Sailor shall renounce the Sea; no Ships
Traffick exchange: All Lands shall all Things bear.
No Glebe shall feel the Harrow's Teeth, no Vine
The Pruning hook: The sturdy Village-Hind
Shall then release his Oxen from the Yoke:
Nor chang'd by Art shall various Wool belye
It's native Colour: but in Pastures green
The Ram himself with Purples glossy Hue,
33
And unforc'd Crimson cloath the feeding Lambs.—
—The last great Day is come,
When Earth, and all her impious Sons, shall lye
Crush'd in the Ruins of the falling Sky:
Whence fresh shall rise, her newborn Realms to grace,
A pious Offspring and a purer Race:
Such as e'er-while in Golden Ages sprung,
When Saturn govern'd, and the World was young.—
When Earth, and all her impious Sons, shall lye
Crush'd in the Ruins of the falling Sky:
Whence fresh shall rise, her newborn Realms to grace,
A pious Offspring and a purer Race:
Such as e'er-while in Golden Ages sprung,
When Saturn govern'd, and the World was young.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |