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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Fright.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Fright.
See Fear.
Just in the Center of the Court, beneath
The open Sky a spacious Altar stood:
Near it an ancient Lawrel, hanging o'er
The sacred Hearth, and cov'ring with its Shade
The Household Gods. Here Hecuba and All
Her Daughters, like a Flock of trembling Doves
Driv'n by a Tempest, vainly round the Shrines
Clinging, embrac'd the Statues of the Gods.—
The open Sky a spacious Altar stood:
Near it an ancient Lawrel, hanging o'er
399
The Household Gods. Here Hecuba and All
Her Daughters, like a Flock of trembling Doves
Driv'n by a Tempest, vainly round the Shrines
Clinging, embrac'd the Statues of the Gods.—
Amaz'd, I shook with Horror and Affright,
My Blood all curdled at the dreadful Sight.—
My Blood all curdled at the dreadful Sight.—
Confounded, and amaz'd, Æneas stood:
Up rose his Hair erect: and to his Mouth
His Speech with Horror cleav'd.—
Up rose his Hair erect: and to his Mouth
His Speech with Horror cleav'd.—
Him, while he spoke, a sudden Trembling seiz'd
O'er all his Limbs: Fix'd stood his haggard Eyes.—
O'er all his Limbs: Fix'd stood his haggard Eyes.—
—Him unusual Fear
Stiff'ning benumbs: Up rose his Hair erect,
And to his Mouth his Speech with Horror cleav'd.—
Stiff'ning benumbs: Up rose his Hair erect,
And to his Mouth his Speech with Horror cleav'd.—
—
Her Eyes a Body found,
Quiv'ring in Death, and gasping on the Ground.
She started back, the Red her Cheeks forsook,
And ev'ry Nerve with thrilling Horror shook.
So trembles the smooth Surface of the Seas,
When brush'd o'er gently with a rising Breeze.
But when her View her bleeding Love confess'd,
She shriek'd, she tore her Hair, she beat her Breast.
She rais'd the Body, and embrac'd it round,
And bath'd with Tears unfeign'd the gaping Wound.
Quiv'ring in Death, and gasping on the Ground.
She started back, the Red her Cheeks forsook,
And ev'ry Nerve with thrilling Horror shook.
So trembles the smooth Surface of the Seas,
When brush'd o'er gently with a rising Breeze.
But when her View her bleeding Love confess'd,
She shriek'd, she tore her Hair, she beat her Breast.
She rais'd the Body, and embrac'd it round,
And bath'd with Tears unfeign'd the gaping Wound.
—The good old Woman shook:
Her Blood ran cold, and ghastly was her Look:
Her hoary Hair upright with Horror stood.—
Her Blood ran cold, and ghastly was her Look:
Her hoary Hair upright with Horror stood.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |