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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Alarm.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Alarm.
See Amazement.
Lo! rushing thro' the Court with frantick Haste
A Messenger with Terror fills the Town:
Relates, that in Array of Battel rang'd
The Trojan and the Tyrrhene Troops descend
From Tyber's Stream, and cover all the Plain.
Forthwith their Minds with stimulating Rage
Are stung, confus'd: to Arms! to Arms! they cry:
The madding Multitude, and warrior Youth
Together rove: the pensive Fathers weep,
And murmur unresolv'd: to Heav'n ascends,
Loud, and confus'd, the clam'rous Discontent.—
A Messenger with Terror fills the Town:
Relates, that in Array of Battel rang'd
The Trojan and the Tyrrhene Troops descend
From Tyber's Stream, and cover all the Plain.
Forthwith their Minds with stimulating Rage
Are stung, confus'd: to Arms! to Arms! they cry:
The madding Multitude, and warrior Youth
Together rove: the pensive Fathers weep,
And murmur unresolv'd: to Heav'n ascends,
Loud, and confus'd, the clam'rous Discontent.—
Strait to the Works from all the City round
They croud.—
Other dig Trenches deep before the Gates,
And roll vast Stones, and Palisadoes fix:
The Trumpet with shrill Clangor to the Fight
The bloody signal Sounds: the Dames, and Boys,
In a promiscuous Throng the Ramparts crown.—
Mean-while, with Cries confus'd the Walls resound:
They croud.—
Other dig Trenches deep before the Gates,
And roll vast Stones, and Palisadoes fix:
The Trumpet with shrill Clangor to the Fight
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In a promiscuous Throng the Ramparts crown.—
The Noise grows loud, and th' undistinguish'd Din
Of clashing Arms rolls nearer. Rous'd from Sleep,
I gain the Summit of the high built House:
And stand with list'ning Ears. As when a Flame
Invades a Field of Corn by driving Winds:
Or, rushing from the Hills, a rapid Flood
Lays flat the Product of the Plains, lays flat
The rising Crop, and Labours of the Plough,
And with a sweeping Torrent whirls the Woods:
On a high Rock the doubtful Peasant stands
Amaz'd, and in his Ear receives the Sound.—
With hasty March by Night his Troops he led.
To the mid Forum on the Soldier pass'd,
There halted, and his Victor Ensigns plac'd:
With dire Alarm from Band to Band around,
The Fife, hoarse Horn, and rattling Trumpets sound.
The starting Citizens uprear their Heads:
The lustier Youth leap frighted from their Beds:
Hasty they snatch the Weapons, which among
Their Houshold Gods in Peace had rested long:
Old Bucklers of the cov'ring Hides bereft,
The mould'ring Frames disjoyn'd, and barely left:
Swords, with foul Rust indented deep, they take:
And useless Spears, with Points inverted, shake.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |