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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Invitation.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Invitation.
Come hither, beauteous Boy! behold; the Nymphs
To Thee fresh Lillies in full Baskets bring:
For Thee the lovely Naïs crops the Heads
Of Poppies, and the Violet's pale Flow'rs,
With the Narcissus and sweet Anise join'd:
Then mingling Cinamon, and other Herbs
Of fragrant Scent, with the soft Hyacinth
The Saffron Bloom of Marigolds adorns.—
To Thee fresh Lillies in full Baskets bring:
For Thee the lovely Naïs crops the Heads
Of Poppies, and the Violet's pale Flow'rs,
With the Narcissus and sweet Anise join'd:
Then mingling Cinamon, and other Herbs
Of fragrant Scent, with the soft Hyacinth
The Saffron Bloom of Marigolds adorns.—
541
Dear Galatea! sweeter far to me
Than Hybla's Thyme to the laborious Bee:
Whiter than Swans that swim the Chrystal Streams,
And fairer than the shining Ivy seems:
Come, when the Bulls shall to their Stalls repair:
Ah! come, if Corydon's at all thy Care.—
Than Hybla's Thyme to the laborious Bee:
Whiter than Swans that swim the Chrystal Streams,
And fairer than the shining Ivy seems:
Come, when the Bulls shall to their Stalls repair:
Ah! come, if Corydon's at all thy Care.—
Hither, O Galatea! hither come,
My charming Fair: Here blooms the purple Spring:
Here various Flow'rs, the winding Rivers round,
The Earth pours forth: Here the pale Poplar hangs
O'er our cool Grot: and intermingled Vines
With pliant Tendrils weave a gentle Shade.—
My charming Fair: Here blooms the purple Spring:
Here various Flow'rs, the winding Rivers round,
The Earth pours forth: Here the pale Poplar hangs
O'er our cool Grot: and intermingled Vines
With pliant Tendrils weave a gentle Shade.—
Descended of an antient Line,
That long the Tuscan Scepter sway'd,
Make haste to meet the gen'rous Wine,
Whose piercing is for thee delay'd:
The rosy Wreath is ready made,
And artful Hands prepare
The fragrant Oyl that shall perfume thy Hair.
From all thy cloying Plenty fly,
Thy Palace leave, that rises to the Sky:
Nor longer value Rome's fantastick Joys,
It's Smoke, it's Riches, and it's Noise.
Sometimes 'tis pleasing to the Rich to try
A short Vicissitude, a Fit of Poverty:
A savory Dish, a homely Treat,
Where all is plain, where all is neat,
Without the stately spacious Room,
Or Carpets from the Tyrian Loom,
Clear up the cloudy Foreheads of the Great.—
That long the Tuscan Scepter sway'd,
Make haste to meet the gen'rous Wine,
Whose piercing is for thee delay'd:
The rosy Wreath is ready made,
And artful Hands prepare
The fragrant Oyl that shall perfume thy Hair.
From all thy cloying Plenty fly,
Thy Palace leave, that rises to the Sky:
Nor longer value Rome's fantastick Joys,
It's Smoke, it's Riches, and it's Noise.
Sometimes 'tis pleasing to the Rich to try
A short Vicissitude, a Fit of Poverty:
A savory Dish, a homely Treat,
Where all is plain, where all is neat,
Without the stately spacious Room,
Or Carpets from the Tyrian Loom,
Clear up the cloudy Foreheads of the Great.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |