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 |
 | I. |
|
|
|
Fear.
|
| II. |
|
|
|
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Fear.
See Fright. Panic.
—Surpriz'd with Fear he backRecoil'd, and with his Speech repress'd his Steps.
Like one, who, unawares, in prickly Thorns
Has trod upon a Snake: And starting fled
Him rousing all his Venom, and with Rage
Heaving his speckled Neck.—
I take th' Alarm, while Horrors reign around,
At ev'ry Breeze, and start at ev'ry Sound.
Now, to the City Gates approaching near,
I seem the Noise of trampling Feet to hear.
My frighted Sire look'd forward thro' the Shade,
And, fly my Son: they come, they come, he said:
Lo! from their Shields I see the Splendors stream,
And ken distinct the Helmet's fiery Gleam.—
And sudden Horrors froze their curdling Blood:
Down drop the Shield and Spear; from Fight we cease,
And humbly sue by suppliant Vows for Peace.—
351
And thrice her trembling Feet for Flight prepare:
But still in vain, for Fear had fix'd 'em there.
She shook, like Blades of Corn, when Tempests blow:
Or slender Reeds that in the Marshes grow.—
So fares a Sailor on the stormy Main,
When Clouds conceal Boötes' golden Wain:
When not a Star it's friendly Lustre keeps,
Nor trembling Cynthia glimmers on the Deeps:
He dreads the Rocks, and Shoals, and Seas, and Skies,
While Thunder roars, and Lightning round him flies.—
Mean time on trembling Pinions thro' the Skies,
To Mount Palatium frighted Rumour flew,
And to astonish'd Rome these Tidings bore:—
A hostile Fleet is riding on the Main;
And o'er the Alps, with German Conquests flush'd,
The vengeful Legions pour on guilty Rome.
Strait Fire, and Sword, and all the dreadful Train
Of Civil Rage, before their Eyes appear!
Distracting Tumults ev'ry Bosom sway'd,
And Reason 'midst the dubious Fears was lost.
This flies by Land: That rather trusts the Seas,
As far less dang'rous than his native Shores:
These run to Arms: Fate aids the wild Affright,
And each obeys the Guidance of his Fears.
No certain Course the giddy Vulgar know,
But thro' the Gates in throng'd Confusion crowd,
And rival Terror:—Rome to Rumour yields,
And weeping Romans leave their native Seats.
This in his Hand his trembling Children leads;
And This his Gods within his Bosom hides,
His long-lov'd Threshold quits with mournful Looks,
And wings his Curses at the absent Foe.
There on the Husband's Breast, the Bride complains:
And here, his Father's Age a pious Youth
Supports with filial Care, nor feels his Load,
Nor fears but for his venerable Charge.
While These, insensate! to the Field convey
Their treasur'd Wealth, and glut the War with Spoil.
To Mount Palatium frighted Rumour flew,
And to astonish'd Rome these Tidings bore:—
A hostile Fleet is riding on the Main;
And o'er the Alps, with German Conquests flush'd,
The vengeful Legions pour on guilty Rome.
Strait Fire, and Sword, and all the dreadful Train
Of Civil Rage, before their Eyes appear!
Distracting Tumults ev'ry Bosom sway'd,
And Reason 'midst the dubious Fears was lost.
This flies by Land: That rather trusts the Seas,
As far less dang'rous than his native Shores:
These run to Arms: Fate aids the wild Affright,
And each obeys the Guidance of his Fears.
No certain Course the giddy Vulgar know,
But thro' the Gates in throng'd Confusion crowd,
And rival Terror:—Rome to Rumour yields,
And weeping Romans leave their native Seats.
This in his Hand his trembling Children leads;
And This his Gods within his Bosom hides,
His long-lov'd Threshold quits with mournful Looks,
And wings his Curses at the absent Foe.
There on the Husband's Breast, the Bride complains:
And here, his Father's Age a pious Youth
Supports with filial Care, nor feels his Load,
353
While These, insensate! to the Field convey
Their treasur'd Wealth, and glut the War with Spoil.
As on the deep when stormy Auster blows,
And mounts the Billows with tumultuous Rage,
Th' affrighted Seamen ply their Arts in vain:
The Pilots stand aghast: These lash their Sails:
While These make Land, and Those avoid the Shores,
And give up all to giddy Fortune's Pow'r.—
And mounts the Billows with tumultuous Rage,
Th' affrighted Seamen ply their Arts in vain:
The Pilots stand aghast: These lash their Sails:
While These make Land, and Those avoid the Shores,
And give up all to giddy Fortune's Pow'r.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |