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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Hunger.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Hunger.
See Famine.
The Morning came, the Night, and Slumbers past,
But still the furious Pangs of Hunger last:
The cank'rous Rage still gnaws with griping Pains,
Stings in his Throat, and in his Bowels reigns.
Strait he requires, impatient in Demand,
Provisions from the Air, the Seas, the Land:
But tho' Land, Air, and Sea, Provisions grant,
Starves at full Tables, and complains of Want.
What to a People might in Dole be paid,
Or victual Cities for a long Blockade,
Could not one wolfish Appetite asswage:
For glutting Nourishment increas'd it's Rage.
As Rivers pour'd from ev'ry distant Shore,
The Sea insatiate drinks, and thirsts for more:
Or as the Fire, which all Materials burns,
And wasted Forests into Ashes turns,
Grows more voracious as the more it preys,
Recruits dilate the Flame, and spread the Blaze:
So impious Erisichthon's Hunger raves,
Receives Refreshments, and Refreshments craves.
Food raises a Desire for Food, and Meat
Is but a new Provocative to eat:
He grows more empty, as the more supply'd,
And endless cramming but extends the Void.
Now Riches hoarded by paternal Care
Were sunk, the Glutton swallowing up the Heir.
Yet the devouring Flame no Stores abate,
Nor less his Hunger grew with his Estate.
One Daughter left, as left his keen Desire,
(A Daughter worthy of a better Sire:)
Her too he sold, spent Nature to sustain.
But still the furious Pangs of Hunger last:
The cank'rous Rage still gnaws with griping Pains,
Stings in his Throat, and in his Bowels reigns.
Strait he requires, impatient in Demand,
Provisions from the Air, the Seas, the Land:
But tho' Land, Air, and Sea, Provisions grant,
Starves at full Tables, and complains of Want.
511
Or victual Cities for a long Blockade,
Could not one wolfish Appetite asswage:
For glutting Nourishment increas'd it's Rage.
As Rivers pour'd from ev'ry distant Shore,
The Sea insatiate drinks, and thirsts for more:
Or as the Fire, which all Materials burns,
And wasted Forests into Ashes turns,
Grows more voracious as the more it preys,
Recruits dilate the Flame, and spread the Blaze:
So impious Erisichthon's Hunger raves,
Receives Refreshments, and Refreshments craves.
Food raises a Desire for Food, and Meat
Is but a new Provocative to eat:
He grows more empty, as the more supply'd,
And endless cramming but extends the Void.
Now Riches hoarded by paternal Care
Were sunk, the Glutton swallowing up the Heir.
Yet the devouring Flame no Stores abate,
Nor less his Hunger grew with his Estate.
One Daughter left, as left his keen Desire,
(A Daughter worthy of a better Sire:)
Her too he sold, spent Nature to sustain.
At last all Means, as all Provisions, fail'd;
For the Disease by Remedies prevail'd:
His Muscles with a furious Bite he tore,
Gorg'd his own tatter'd Flesh, and gulp'd his Gore:
Wounds were his Feast; his Life to Life a Prey:
Supporting Nature by it's own Decay.—
For the Disease by Remedies prevail'd:
His Muscles with a furious Bite he tore,
Gorg'd his own tatter'd Flesh, and gulp'd his Gore:
Wounds were his Feast; his Life to Life a Prey:
Supporting Nature by it's own Decay.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |