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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Flight Secret. |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
369
Flight Secret.
At length arriv'd, with the revolving Night,The chosen Hour appointed for his Flight:
He bids his Friends prevent the Seamen's Roar,
And still the deaf'ning Clamours on the Shore:
No Trumpets may the Watch by Hours renew,
Nor sounding Signals call aboard the Crew.
The heav'nly Maid her Course had almost run,
And Libra waited on the rising Sun,
When, hush'd in Silence deep, they leave the Land:
No loud mouth'd Voices call, with hoarse Command,
To heave the flooky Anchors from the Sand.
Lowly the careful Master's Orders past,
To brace the Yards, and rear the lofty Mast:
Silent they spread the Sails, the Cables haul,
Nor to their Mates for Aid, tumultuous, call.
The Chief himself to Fortune breath'd a Pray'r,
At length to take him to her kinder Care:
That swiftly he might pass the liquid Deep,
And lose the Land which she forbad to keep.
Hardly the Boon his niggard Fate allow'd,
Unwillingly the murm'ring Seas were plow'd:
The foamy Furrows roar'd beneath his Prow,
And sounding to the Shore alarm'd the Foe.
Strait thro' the Town their swift Pursuit they sped,
(For wide her Gates the faithless City spread)
Along the winding Port they took their Way,
And griev'd to find the Fleet had gain'd the Sea.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |